The 2014 Young Rider European Championships in Portugal saw the Askham Bryan College sponsored GB team clinch the bronze medal behind Ireland and Germany. And Holly Woodhead on DHI Lupison took the individual silver medal – just losing out to Germany’s Charlotte Hachmeister and Kassio 10.
Professional eventer Holly Woodhead, aged 20, is currently based with Catherine Burrell’s yard at Maizey Manor Farm, Ogbourne St Andrew. She began her eventing career at her home near Grimsby.
After some disappointing results in very testing cross country conditions, the final day was a nail biting one, with a tough show jumping course making for very few clear rounds. The pressure was really on for Holly Woodhead.
Lying in the silver medal position, a single rail down would have pushed her and DHI Lupison off the podium. But she held her nerve and retained second place with Mr Ian Woodhead and Mrs Heidi Woodhead’s DHI Lupison.
They very nearly made it a gold medal: German individual rider Charlotte Hackmeister had two fences in hand, and she used them both, winning the title by just two penalty points.
The GB squad for the championships was Sophie Beaty, David Doel (based at Lacock), Isabella Innes Ker, Tom Jackson, Alex Liddle and Holly Woodhead.
After the medal presentation, Alex Colquhoun, Chairman of the Askham Bryan Young Rider selectors said: “After yesterday’s disappointments [in the cross country phase], I am so thrilled for all the riders. They lowered just two poles between them during some fantastic show jumping. “It has been a roller coaster of a week, and in the end team bronze and individual silver for Holly is a great result.”
The championships are under the auspices of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI.) [Photos courtesy British Eventing.]
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