Martha Jones will not be competing on the British team at the 2026 European Pony Championships in Le Mans (FRA) at the end of July.
Jones was supposed to compete Lily Cawley's Cognac IX.
"Cognac just isn’t feeling 100% and at the end of the day, his welfare will always come first," Jones stated. "As heartbreaking as this decision is, he doesn’t owe us a single thing. This season has been more than we ever dreamed of. From international wins to making the European team, Cognac has given me absolutely everything, every single time we’ve entered the arena. He has tried his heart out for me, and I couldn’t be prouder of him. Right now, he deserves nothing more than the chance to rest and feel like himself again."
The 18-year old German riding pony Cognac IX i(by FS Chambertin x Waldemar) s a seasoned team pony having competed at three European Pony Championships (2016, 2019, 2020) and taken five riders into the international competition ring. Jones debuted him at CDI level in June 2025 at Wellington Heckfield. This year the pair showed in Hartpury, Hickstead and Wellington Heckfield, winning three out of eight CDI starts.
Jones' spot on the team will be taken by reserve rider Georgie Morgan on 14-year old Dutch Welsh pony Brouwershaven’s Jasper (by Valerio x Vita Nova's Hanassie). They debuted internationally in October 2025 and also showed in Hartpury, Hickstead and Wellington Heckfield this year.
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Related Links
British Teams Announced for 2026 European Youth Championships
Eurodressage Coverage of the 2026 European Pony Championships