‘I was filled with gratitude and I just cried’ – rider reactions to cross-country

Caption:

German team member Ann-Catrin Bierlein and Sir Scotty go clear for their team at the FEI World Eventing Championship U25 at Millstreet, Ireland (Credit: Pam Cunningham/Irish Horse Board)

Tom Bird (Lenny, GBR*)

‘It felt very intense and full on but hopefully I am bringing back good information for the team. Lenny is such a cool horse – everything you want in an event horse. Mike Etherington-Smith [course-designer] has done a brilliant job. It feels as if you’re in a washing machine, but that’s how a 4*-S championship should be.’

Calvin Bockman (Altair de la Cense, GER*)

‘She is such a clever horse, she really had to try hard and get out of her comfort zone. A course like this is different to anything we see in central Europe. She is not the most scopey horse and doesn’t love a hill. I had to give her a bit of confidence and it wasn’t as smooth as I would have liked, but she really enjoyed the galloping part, as that is different to a lot of the courses we do. She is the most special horse to me and my family.’

Molly Duda (Disco Traveller, USA)

‘It was unbelievable. It was a tough track out there but I knew Disco was up to it and ready for it. As I came home I was filled with gratitude and I just cried.’

Alice Casburn (Topspin, GBR*)

‘I am beyond delighted. Topspin is such a professional. He really shines doing this [cross-country]. My main worry was that the first fence was spooky and that made me ride forward. I did really feel the heat [pressure] – if it goes wrong, it’s on my shoulders. I wasn’t given team instructions – I was told to do my thing, and he is a horse that loves getting down to the nitty-gritty.’

Isny O’ Donnell (Vital DK Z, IRL*)

‘My horse was really cool. It is the most intense course we’ve seen and he was amazing. He hasn’t been an easy horse along the way but this makes everything worth it.’

Clara Cazeneuve (Dolce Gabana, FRA*)

‘I am so proud of my horse and I am so proud to be here for the first time on a French team. It was an easy course for her as she is such a good jumper.’

Ann-Catrin Bierlein (Sir Scotty, GBR*)

‘We knew it was a tough track – our trainer said: “It’s not a walk in the park, you will have to fight”. But I knew I had the best cross-country horse in the world. It wasn’t always perfect but that is what championship cross-country riding should be. And we are near to [Alice and] Topspin!’

Kyle Charles Morton (Shannondale Gambit, CAN)

‘I definitely enjoyed it. It is one of the biggest tracks we have done, definitely a step up and the added pressure of the international stage, which was very much in the back of my mind. I took the slow option at the last water because I wanted to have a positive experience for both of us. He is a very smart horse; I can just set him up and let him go.’

Brooke Dougall (My Locky, AUS)

‘I am a little bit disappointed that I had to take my foot off the gas. It was the most challenging course I have ever seen, hands down, but I felt I was riding well and then my air vest blew. I could hardly breathe but fortunately we have a long partnership and that kicked in.’

Cerys Macaulay (Kananaskis, GBR*)

‘It was fun. I was quite nervous with the pressure not wanting to let the team down and I had to have a word with myself. The guys warned me about tht blind corner out of the water – they told me to do a straight two strides and turn, but he’s so good, he always looks for the flags. My horse was class.’

Olivia Dutton (Jewellent, USA*)

‘I am happy now that it’s over! This horse is amazing, he was with me all the way round. The plan was to do the straight routes and the priority was to get round for the team, but also to be competitive. And I knew the horse was coming back to his country [Ireland] and that everyone would be watching! My overall feeling is one of relief.’

Linus Weiss (Astrello, GER*)

‘This horse is wonderful. He was flying around the course like a cross-country machine. I didn’t have to push him at all. It is the biggest course we have done, although it is a little similar to Marbach.’

Jasmine Underwood (Indian Girl G, GBR*)

‘She is just amazing. It was quite nerve-racking and I wanted to produce a good performance because everyone else had, but on the other hand there was less pressure because they had all done so well in the team. The time was really tight and she wouldn’t be a natural galloper, but she gives her all. It is a lot of pressure competing for your country, but I have got good at managing my nerves.’

Godfrey Gibbons (Ballyvillane OBOS, IRL*)

‘It has been a long day waiting, so there is always a bit of pressure, especially being on home ground. This competition has given us all a great opportunity to get our names out there and it is great for the sport.’