Pidgley packs a punch

Annabella Pidgley spearheads a golden week for Britain’s young riders, with personal bests and medals galore

- STEPHANIE BATEMAN

ANNABELLA PIDGLEY made history when becoming the first British rider to win an individual young rider European dressage medal. the 18-year-old claimed double gold, on top of team bronze.

Riding her mother Sarah Pidgley’s nine-year-old mare, Espe (Escolar x Dimaggio), Annabella first pulled off a masterclass team test to earn her first personal best of the show (75.15%).

Just like Annabella, two other members of the British team were making their young rider Europeans debuts. The first of them, Lily Laughton, earned 69.41% for her team test aboard Alicia Laughton’s 17-year-old Danish gelding, Skovborgs Romadinov, while India Durman-Mills and Verity Saul’s 14-year-old Jazz gelding, Escade, scored 69.029%.

Last to go for the Brits was the experienced Jessie McConkey and Lady Gaga (Quaterback x Solos Landwind), who scored 70.94% to help secure the team bronze. Meanwhile, Denmark took gold while Germany finished in silver.

British chef d’équipe Tom Hobday said: “It’s been an amazing few weeks – the four girls were a fantastic team. The team spirit was brilliant and it made for a wonderful atmosphere. They all had brilliant rides in the team test.”