By Gary Anderson

August 22 - The victorious Great Britain team who added European gold to their Olympic crownBritish riders claimed an historic double at the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) European Championships in Herning, Denmark, by adding team gold to their London 2012 gold, becoming only the second team to complete the consecutive double.

Ben Maher, Michael Whitaker, William Funnell and Scott Brash followed Germany in 1996 by adding European gold to an Olympic title as they finished ahead of the Germans in second and Sweden in third.

Leading overnight, the British team's challenge got off to a perfect start as Maher, who along with Brash were members of the victorious London 2012 team, went round with a clear run on 11-year-old grey mare Cella before Championship veteran Whittaker put in a solid performance on Viking V, which saw the 53-year-old pick up just five faults to leave Britain in the lead at the halfway stage on the final day.

At the other end of the experience-scale, Funnell and his mount Billy Congo where competing in their first senior European Championships together, and despite clocking up 12 penalty points in their previous round, the duo were calmness personified as they negotiated the fences in a clear round to leave Britain on the brink of success with one rider to go.

And, Brash - nicknamed "Mr Cool" - demonstrated his ability to deal with pressure by recovering from an early slip-up which saw his mount Hello Sanctos clip a rail, before going on to complete the round with no further penalties and jump their way into the record books.

Scott Brash and Hello Sanctos led the British team home to secure gold in HerningScott Brash and Hello Sanctos led the British team home to secure gold in Herning





























"I'm absolutely delighted, it was a fantastic team performance and all four riders gave good scores," said Great Britain's Chef d'Equipe Rob Hoekstra.

"Ben had a tremendous round, Michael was unfortunate to have a pole but Will came in and produced a world class performance.

"Scott, the youngest of the team, rose to the pressure and put in another great performance.

"We can only do all this with the support of the whole team behind us, and I'd like to thank all those - the grooms, owners, team staff, and the support we receive from UK Sport Lottery funding, who have contributed to this team result."

Brash, 27, who led the team home, said: "I'm very happy.

"I was very fortunate today as the other three riders gave me a bit of a cushion.

"They all did a fantastic job and it's great that we ended up on top".

Meanwhile, Charlotte Dujardin beat her own world record on board Valegro with a score of 85.942 per cent but it was not enough to help Britain retain the team dressage title in Denmark, as Dujardin, and teammates Carl Hester, Michael Eilberg and Gareth Hughes had to settle for bronze behind winners Germany and second-placed Netherlands.

Following double Olympic champion Dujardin's world record ride, Danish rider Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein on board Digby went round with a score of 76.003 per cent which, unfortunately for the home crowd, was not enough to secure a podium position and guaranteed the British quartet a medal.

The colour of that medal would be decided by the final riders of Germany and Holland.

A score of 80.851 per cent by Dutch rider Adelinde Cornelissen on Jerich Parzival was enough to secure the silver medal while Germany showed its class by claiming top spot through Helen Langehanenberg on board Damon Hill NRW, to leave Britain with bronze.

Germany's dressage team celebrate their victory, which was achieved against Britain's Charlotte Dujardin and her mount Valegro setting a world recordGermany's dressage team celebrate their victory, which was achieved against Britain's Charlotte Dujardin and her mount Valegro setting a world record

"When I was getting on, Carl [Hester] said 'you'd better ride for everything' and so I did," said a delighted Dujardin after her world record run.

"Hickstead [Grand Prix] did me the world of good; the mistakes gave me just the wake-up call I needed.

"The last two weeks have been hell as Carl has done nothing but shout at me which has been brilliant.

"I was in my comfort zone which is not good enough; I have to push for better marks.

"I felt [after Hickstead] that I couldn't do it anymore, I had no confidence but Carl got us back.

"Plus he's been fantastic since he arrived and I had a great ride yesterday which gave me the confidence to go for it today.

"He's [Valegro] such an amazing horse, it's only our third show together this year and he can still go and produce that.

"It was an emotional performance; I started crying half way down the final centre line which almost cost me as I nearly stopped.

"He tries his hardest and always wants to do his best – I'm so lucky to ride him."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related Stories
August 2013: Cornelissen going to European Dressage Championships as world number one
July 2013: Olympic champion Dujardin and Valegro returns to top of FEI dressage world rankings
July 2013: Zara Phillips to miss European Championships after announcing pregnancy