16th September 2007
The riders from Great Britain have today made history at Pratoni del Vivaro in Italy by securing their seventh consecutive Team Gold and also helped us to a clean sweep of European team medals this year - Pony, Junior, Young Rider and Senior. An individual silver from Mary King and Call Again Cavalier also brings the 2007 medal haul to ten medals.
The team competition was dominated in the end by Britain - securing gold by over 66 penalties. 27 faults were added to our cross country score of 119.0 when Daisy lowered two rails with Spring Along. She felt she was almost too controlled during her round and would have been better to push along as it suits the horse better but eight faults looked enough to take away any chance of an individual medal but it was a counting score secured.
Next, and lying fourth, were Mary King and Cav and they jumped an immaculate clear - one of very few in the day - to pile the pressure on the top three. The Bettina Hoy cantered in as a German individual with Ringwood Cockatoo. They clouted fence nine to add four - dropping her down a place and promoting Mary to Bronze.
It was then Zara's turn. Toytown had been warming up well outside and he started well but then they simply missed their stride at fence nine and the horse had no alternative but to stop, clattering through the poles in the process. The fence was rebuilt and he was obviously un-nerved so had the fence down. They also hit fence 11b so it was a total of 12 jumping plus nine time faults for a total of 19 - lowering them to sixth place and the European Individual title was no longer theirs. This did further promote her team-mate to Silver though.
So, could Nicolas Touzaint regain his title he handed over to Zara? Of course! The young Frenchman was certainly the class act of the week with Galan de Sauvagere - adding nothing to their dressage of 29.4 - the only combination inside the time on the cross country and so the only rider to complete on their dressage score - finishing nearly 12 penalties clear of Mary - deserving winners of the European Individual title.
Earlier Oliver Towned jumped a great round with Flint Curtis for just one down to leave them in 12th place overall but more importantly, a Gold Medal round his neck on his team debut. Rodney Powell was unlucky to have two down with Langarth Darcy as he looked fresh after Saturday's extreme effort for a final 40th place while Georgie Davies and Fachoudette lowered a single fence for 28th position - this must be a combination to watch for the future.
In the team competition, the loss of Germany from the top ranks meant that France took the Silver and Italy the bronze.
Individual
Gold Nicolas Touzaint (FRA) Gala de Sauvagere 29.4
Silver Mary King (GBR) Call Again Cavalier 41.3
Bronze Bettina Hoy (GER) Ringwood Cockatoo 42.3
British
6th Zara Phillips Toytown 51.6
7th Daisy Dick Spring Along 53.1
12th Oliver Townend Flint Curtis 72.2
28th Georgie Davies Fachoudette 101.4
40th Rodney Powell Langarth Darcy 166.3
Team
Gold GBR
Silver FRA
Bronze ITA
4th BEL
5th DEN
6th SUI
7th GER
8th IRL
9th AUT
10th RUS
