BRITAIN CLAIMS TEAM TITLE, GERMANY’S FULLGRAEBE IS INDIVIDUAL CHAMPION by Louise Parkes

Lausanne (SUI), 23 August 2011 – Great Britain secured team gold, while Germany’s Freya Fullgraebe took the individual title at the FEI European Young Riders Eventing Championship 2011 which was staged against the spectacular backdrop of Blair Castle in Scotland (GBR) over the weekend.

The British record in these Championships in more than impressive, with six team titles in the last seven years and joint-victory with Germany in 2010.  This time around it came down to an exciting climax on the final afternoon when they held off a strong challenge from the Irish who had to settle for silver, while Germany took bronze.

Fullgraebe’s individual success was well-deserved as she was the only competitor, from 57 starters, to finish on her dressage score.

A total of eight nations lined out in the Team Championship and seven fielded full teams including the host country, Ireland, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, France and Poland while Russia sent out just three riders.  Russia’s team chances were dashed when Elizabeta Radionova and Rafiner were eliminated.

The cross-country course proved influential as expected, with 10 eliminations and only four horse-and-rider partnerships returning within the time allowed. The arrowhead at 9c proved the most influential fence on Roland Alexander’s track.

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