FEI European Pony Championship, Freudenberg (GER), 17 - 22 July 2007

Sunday 22 July was definitely a lucky day for the British team. At the end of an exciting two-round not against the clock competition, the individual European Pony Jumping title goes to 16-year old Zoe Adams riding the 9-year old chestnut mare VIP Tixylix – BRP. Zoe finishes with an overall result of only 5 penalty points picked up during the first round of the Nations Cup held on Thursday and is the only rider to score a double clear today. 2007 has been a successful year for her as she won on the same pony the Grand Prix and the Nations Cup at CSIP Aach.

The silver and bronze were decided through a jump off. Germany’s Carolin Zell on the 13-year old gelding Wombel 17 had finished today’s two-round competition on 8 penalties (4 from the 2nd round of the Nations Cup and 4 from today’s first round) and had tied with James Smith of Great Britain who was the only rider to start the day with a clean slate and had a bar down in each of today’s rounds. The jump off was held over a five-fence, six-jumping effort course. Carolin Zell had a clear round in 34s19. James followed and scored a clear round too but in 34s40. So, for 0s21 the silver medal is German and Great Britain wins an individual Jumping bronze medal.

The drama of the day was the elimination of 13-year old Constant van Paesschen on the 15-year mare Angel. With only four penalties, he was the last to go in the second round. A first refusal at the second element of the triple combination unsettled the pair and they were eliminated after a second refusal at the very last fence.

The 2007 FEI European Pony Championships ends in much celebration. God Save the Queen was the song of the day and the Union Jack could be seen everywhere in all its bright glory. It has been an edition of good sport and also one of many innovations. For the first time the ponies taking part in the event were measured on site prior to the competition to ensure their size was in compliance with FEI’s definition of a pony. A new Jumping format was used and only three riders per nation could participate in the individual Dressage final. Are there reasons for satisfaction? We believe there are as many changes have been successfully introduced in only one year. However, improvements will be pursued in the near future so that those who love and practise pony sport can do so fairly and honestly.