Fontainbleau CSIOP 2014: young riders and ponies take centre stage

Young riders and ponies took centre stage this week at the Fontainbleau CSIOP 2014 in France that also hosted a stage of the Nations Cup for this category.
France’s Camille Conde Ferreira took the victory in the CSIOP GP following a pulsating race in which Ferreira beat the European Champion Lars Volmer with Carrick 13. It had been 10 years since a home victory in this competition which makes Ferreira’s victory with Pumpkins Pondi even more special. The French rider came from behind and risked everything for the win and was ultimately rewarded thanks also in part to her relationship with her pony with whom she has been riding with for 4 years. Another rising French star came in third place in the form of Nina Mallevalley with Rominet de Bruz.
There was also a host of individual awards handed out with Camille Coloma and Michael Pender named the best riders of the tournament. The award for the most elegant rider went to the Danish rider Rie Benedikte Truelsen.
51 pairs meanwhile took part in the CSIP GP and only 8 obtained clean runs and made it through to the second round. The best rider of the day in the female category was France’s Sorenza Le Metayer while for the men it was Irish rider Cormac Foley. However, the overall victory went to Ireland’s Cora Sharkley, who at the age of just 12 years old showed experience well beyond her years with her expert pony Bertas Clover. Germany’s Gerome Graeme on Bartez came in second followed by Ireland’s Olivia Roulston with Ballygawleys Little Ferro.
To continue, Saturday’s Nations Cup stage was won by the Netherlands who are always competitive and cement their reputation as a producer of great talents. France came in second who were hot on the heels of the Dutch team but the 5 penalties meant they weren’t able to claim the win.
The Netherlands squad was made up as follows: Laurie Touw with Berkzicht Rob, the siblings Elise van den Mheen with Silver Dream and Rowen van den Mheen on Ensilla and Babette Kuijpers with Cosmo van Orchid’s. Coach: Luc Steeghs.
source: press office for Bonneau International Poney