Tillmann and Gray Win Gold at 2024 European Pony Championships

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2024 European Pony, Children, Junior Riders Championships

German Madlin Tillmann and British Abigail Gray became the winners of the two individual gold medals at the 2024 European Pony Championships in Opglabbeek, Belgium, on 23 - 28 July 2024.

Hosted at Sentower Park, the European Pony Championships coincided with those for the Children and Junior Riders. At the start of the week Germany won team gold, Denmark had silver and Sweden had moved into team bronze medal position.

Individual Test: Madlin Tillmann

A new set of three medals was to be won in the individual test, which was ridden on Friday and Saturday 26 - 27 July 2024. A field of 53 pony riders contested the individual test which was judged by Freddy Leyman, Frederico Pinteus, Patricia Wolters, Alban Tissot, and Knut Danzberg.

The gold medal went to the third placed rider of the team championship test, Germany's Madlin Tillmann and the 12-year old German bred Chilly Morning (by Calido G x Sandro Ace). She posted the high score of the day with 75.595% and ranked first with three judges. The ones sitting on the long side both had her second.

British Abigail Gray got sandwiched on the podium by two Germans after winning the team test. Gray and her British bred and KWPN registered pony George Clooney B.S (by Caesar x Santano) were breathing down Tillmann's neck and with a fraction less, 75.324%, they were second in the individual test and got silver.

The bronze went to German Hanna Clauberg aboard Ludwig Stassen's 7-year old chestnut dun stallion Dacapo B (by Dornik B x Golden Dancer). The pair produced a score of 74.298% although the judges were not on the same wavelength with 72.703% being her low score and the judge at E (Leyman) pulling that mark up considerably with his 77.568%.

The fourth place went to Dutch Isabella Karajkovic on her 12-year old First Hummer (by FS Mr Right x Jarno). She landed 72.892% with marks ranging from 71.351% to 73.784%. Belgian home rider Helena Theeuwes and the 8-year old Matteo (by Mr Right x Dornik B) saw her fourth place reduced to a fifth after Belgian judge Leyman dropped her mark down to a 70.270% while the other four judges had her all between 72.29 and 73.91%

Kur to Music: Abigail Gray

In the Kur to Music the tables were turned and Abigail Gray, who is in her last year on ponies, capped off a successful pony career by claiming freestyle gold. A long wait for the scores due to technical errors was worth the tension, as the score was declared at 80.140%, and the title of European Champion confirmed. She was the only rider to crack the magical 80% barrier. Gray left all competition far behind her with an almost 3% point advantage. Abigail rode to powerful, emotive music and delivered plenty of artistic drama alongside a well-choreographed floorplan.

Gray took over the ride on George Clooney BS from British junior team member Mette Dahl. The new pair rose to prominence in 2023 when they finished just off the Freestyle podium at the European Pony Championships in Le Mans. This year they achieved an unbeaten run of seven international wins leading up the European Championships in Opglabbeek where they wielded the axe of power. Based in Aberdeenshire and trained by Sarah Higgins and Hannah Moody, she cemented her reputation with a silver medal and a gold medal.

Abigail Gray and George Clooney are the
2024 European Pony Champions (Photo © M.Nilkens)

“He has been absolutely amazing at this championship and on the run up to it. I am so proud, not just of him but of everyone that has helped us get here," said Abigail. "It was my last time competing with the ponies, so I am very proud we ended with a gold medal. We are currently looking for a horse so I can hopefully continue with the Juniors. It has been a little bit challenging to find a horse because I am quite a small rider, but I have good hopes we will succeed, and I can continue to compete.”

Gray is only the second British rider to become European Pony Champion in dressage. She succeeds Phoebe Peters who achieved a duo of titles in 2013 and 2015.

Individual test gold medallist Madlin Tillmann could not bring the same relaxation and composition to the freestyle and dropped to a 15th place in the Kur. This left room for individual test bronze medal winner Hanna Clauberg to climb one step on the podium. She finished in silver medal position with a score of 77.200%.

Kur bronze went to German team mate Leni-Sophie Gosmann, who came to Opglabbeek with the choice of riding the European Pony and Children Championships, having been selected as a team rider for both. With her Children horse Filippa AW not being totally fit, the choice fell on ponies. Gosmann saddled her own 8-year old Diamantini EA (by Diamond Touch x FS Pavarotti) and scored 76.440% in the freestyle for bronze.

Danish Sofia Rosenkilde worked her way up to a fourth place (75.975%) in the freestyle aboard the 10-year old stallion Cosmo Royale (by Cosmopolitan x Casino Royale K. Belgian Helena Theeuwes and Matteo were back in fifth place with 75.215%.

And that concludes the 2024 European Pony Championships which next year will return to Le Mans, France.

Eurodressage took photos of all pony and junior competitors in Opglabbeek (and some children). If you are interested in photos for social media use or print, send us an email and you can BUY our photos. No reproduction allowed - NO SCREENSHOTS!