Top marks at college as Britain strike gold on home soil to help proud Keen bow out in style

Teams of young riders from 13 different countries competed over five days at Bishop Burton College in East Yorkshire. It finished on a high note with Britain's pony eventing team winningn gold.

In the championships, which had not been held in this country for 13 years, Britain's six riders all had clear rounds on the testing cross-country course and were the only nation to do so.

Course designer Eric Winter had produced a true championship course which both coaches and riders agreed had been fair but difficult. The British team's pathfinder, Alfie Bradstock, said afterwards that last year's course at Morsele in Belgium had been "a piece of cake" in comparison.

An Italian competitor, Camilla Colucci, took a crashing fall at fence four and the course was closed for over 40 minutes while an ambulance arrived to take her to hospital. She was discharged after an overnight stay.

Britain's Sophie Beaty was in the start box ready to go onto the course and had an anxious wait.

The British team went into the final show-jumping section 36 penalties ahead of nearest rivals, Germany and maintained their lead to win by 43.1 points.

Belgium took bronze with the Netherlands fourth and Ireland in fifth place.

Britain' Grace Walker, riding Noble Springbok, won silver for her individual performance overall.

It was a great result for the team's coach, Jonquil Hemming, and particularly Chef d'Equipe Ginnie Keen, who is retiring after 13 years. She said: "This year we have had six of the best riders and team-mates we have had for a very long time. I could not be more proud of them."

The individual gold went to Marissa Braig, of Germany, and bronze went to Sarah O'Brien, daughter of racehorse trainer Aidan O'Brien, of Ireland.

The first gold for team dressage went to the Netherlands, who had a final score of 221.22. The Dutch were delighted with their first gold in this section for 20 years and Germany had to settle for silver. Great Britain just missed out on bronze, which went to Denmark.

Twelve-year-old Erin Williams, from Baslow in Derbyshire, was making her debut with the team riding Danny Boy B. She did exceptionally well under pressure in the dressage arena to finish eighth. This meant she qualified to compete in the individual competition along with team-mates Claire Gallimore, with Gigolo, and York's Charlotte Gill, with Ferrari.

Erin's father Paul is a former professional footballer who played for West Bromwich Albion, Stockport County and Sheffield United. "This could be where Erin gets some of her competitive spirit from," said her mother, Clare.

The individual dressage was won by Jessica Kreig, 13, of Germany, and Danilo, who scored a personal best of 76.73. Antoinette Te Riele and Golden Girl won silver for the Netherlands and bronze went to Germany's Lena Charlott Walterscheidt with Deinhard B. Claire Gallimore did well to gain fifth and and Erin just managed to secure a place in the Kur (freestyle championship).

The top 15 riders competed in the final dressage championship, the Kur, on the final day. The fortunes of the top three riders were reversed with Dutch rider Antoinette Te Reile taking gold with 78.45 per cent. Lena Charlott Walterscheidt won silver for Germany with 77.90. The individual gold medallist, Jessica Kreig, had a score of 76.50 to take the bronze medal. Claire Gallimore put in another confident performance with Gigolo to finish fifth on 74.10.

Victory in the team show-jumping went to Germany, their first gold medal in this section for 19 years.

There was a nail-biting finish for silver medal position as Ireland and Belgium both had 12 faults but Ireland won on time.

Ireland Chef d'Equipe Ian Fearon, was thrilled with his team''s performance. "It's an understatement to say I'm proud of them."

Great Britain finished fifth after good clear rounds from Amy Inglis and Emily Roe.

Clare Whitaker, British Showjumping chairman of performance development, said: "We were a little bit unlucky and things don't always go according to plan. But we have two great riders for the future in Amy and Emily, who both jumped perfect second rounds."

Amy went on to finish fourth in the individual show-jumping riding Nils D'hurl Vent.

The British also had a setback on the first day when one of the squad, Daisy Davis, had a fall and broke her collarbone during a warm-up in the arena.

The gold, silver and bronze medallists of each championship received their medals in style, standing on the podium with flags flying and their national anthem being played.

One of the coaches summed up their performances perfectly, stating: "Everybody who has a medal round their neck is a true champion."