Sainsbury is best of British in Belgium (From Bridport and Lyme Regis News)

Sainsbury is best of British in Belgium

8:55am Wednesday 26th September 2012 in Sport By Sport reporter

LYME Regis’ Dace Sainsbury enjoyed a fruitful trip to Belgium for the 2012 FEI European Young Rider Endurance Championships.

Riding in the individual event, Sainsbury was the highest placed British rider in 12th position with her horse Ballota.

Competing at her first Champion-ships, the Dorset rider said: “I was astonished to find at the end of the third loop that I was just 40 seconds behind the leaders.

“To compete in Mont le Soie was an amazing experience and a huge step up from competing in the UK.”

Other members of the British team, helped secure the first team medal for over 17 years with bronze around the ultra-competitive and demanding 120km course.

The successful quartet was made up of Kate Atkinson, Carri-Ann Dark, Beth Langley and Louise Rich.

The British team needed three of their four riders to complete the hilly course on the edge of the Ardennes forest to be in contention for a medal.

Dark finished in 14th place, Langley came 18th and Atkinson was 23rd. Sadly, Rich’s horse Oakleaze Farm Cziko vetted out on metabolics at gate three. France took gold with Italy claiming silver.

The British contingent are grateful to their sponsors Toggi, Equissage, Just Chaps, Simple Sys-tems, Performance Equestrian, Gatehouse Riding Hats, Naf Products and Ingateston Saddlery Essex.