British young event horses shone this week in Le Lion D’Angers France at the FEI WBFSH Eventing World Breeding Championships for Young Horses.
British combinations took the top two places in the seven-year-old class with Chilli Morning IV (Phantomic x Kolibri) and Gemma Stevens finishing on their Dressage score of 26.2 and the British bred Anglo European horse Kantango (Otengelo x Winningmood) and ridden by Kitty King taking second place on their Dressage score of 27.9.
Speaking of her win, Gemma said “I am unbelievably proud to be crowned World Champion. This has been our goal and aim with him since he started his programme. We have produced him right from the start, which makes it extra special. Le Lion is the most incredible show, it’s always been a dream to win here and I can’t actually believe it’s come true.
“The owners Chris and Lisa Stone are so excited. The horse was unbelievable, he was so positive and his ears were pricked… It feels like he loves the cross country. We have high hopes for him. The feeling he gives me is incredible, and his ability to focus is just unbelievable even at such a young age.”
In second place was Kitty King with the talented Kantango , owned by Jane Boggis, Penelope Holley, Joanna Jones and Jane Tolley. Kantango started his career in showjumping before Kitty took him on as a five-year-old. Their partnership has gone from-to-strength to see them finish on their dressage score.
Talking of her placing Kitty said “He had a steep learning curve as a six-year-old, but he’s been a super consistent horse. He’s very sharp and has a quick-thinking brain and he felt superb all week. It was the best performance he’s given me and a great place to do it.” said Kitty.
The Six-year-old championship was won by Killer Queen and Merel Blom-Hulsmam from the Netherlands with British combination Max Warburton and Norway Van De Haar (High Shutterfly x Sammartini) taking second place on their dressage score of 28.8. Max took on the ride of this talented gelding, owned by Celia Gough, Miranda Lucey and Sue Ruddock as a five-year-old. About his performance Max said “This horse is lovely. I rode him for the first time as a five-year-old and from the minute I sat on him I knew he was one for Le Lion”.
results here https://results.worldsporttiming.com/event/234
