Clare Whitaker, Emily Gulliver, Honey Bowes, Tabby Morgan-Evans, Rosie Smith, Lottie Adams ©Matilde Tarchiani
In a win that has filled the British public with pride, Team GB won the Children Team Gold Medal at the FEI Jumping European Championship. This historic victory was made possible by the exceptional performance of the Children team and their dedicated coach, Clare Whitaker.
Many tried, Clare Whitaker made it: remember today as the day Great Britain got the better of Spain in a European title! Rumors are swirling that there will be an official petition to appoint Clare Whitaker as head coach of the football team, but football fans shouldn’t hold their breath—Clare Whitaker is sticking to show jumping.
In a press conference mediated by Speaker Matt Millin, the excitement and pride were palpable.
Matt Millin: “The phone has not stopped ringing, the government wants you as prime minister, the football team wants you as manager, what are you going to do, are you going to stick with horses?”
Clare Whitaker: “That would be a very challenging job, I know a lot about show jumping not as much about football so I think I will stick with horses!”
Matt : “What a success for you as well, a brand new team debut in the world of the Europeans, let’s be honest we have got some quality here right now.”
Clare: “Yes we have. We worked hard this summer, we improved, we have one horse from last year which I am very pleased to have stayed in the country, which is Tabby’s horse. He jumped lots of clear rounds, then Emily has done it before but this time with a different horse and I am really pleased how every single one of them contributed to the results this week.”
Matt: “You have been team manager for many years, but every time you win a gold is special, it has to be.”
Clare: “It is very special, there are so many countries now and it is very difficult to win. You have to keep jumping clear rounds, and children do not have to get carried away thinking it’s easy, because everybody has got good horses now and it is not, it is actually really difficult.”
Matt: “Tabs, where do I start with you. We think you are the youngest ever European gold medal for Great Britain! Only 11 years old. Three clears out of three, have you just got no nerves?”
Tabby Morgan-Evans: “It is always adrenaline; it is not really nerves. I always think if you get nervous it’s just excitement!”
The Children of Team GB are the living definition of what it takes to perform under pressure, with each rider playing a crucial role in the team’s gold. The standout performance by 11-year-old Tabby Morgan-Evans, who delivered three clear rounds, was beyond expectations, and it was only one example of the great potential within the team. Clare Whitaker’s experience and the riders’ hard work throughout the summer resulted in a well deserved first place. Joining Team GB on the podium were Belgium with the silver medal, after an exciting jump-off with Spain, who took the bronze.
Great Britain Team Members:
- Coach: Clare Whitaker
- Emily Gulliver
- Honey Bowes
- Tabby Morgan-Evans
- Rosie Smith
- Lottie Adams
Belgian Team Members:
- Coach: Filip Lacus
- Jitske van den Eynde
- Jérôme Denutte
- Ella Bomeré
- Robin Vermeir
- Eva Mendolia
Spanish Team Members:
- Coach: Reyes Martin
- Aleksandra Hearst
- Elena Vazquez Arrojo
- Paula Regil Cuñarro
- Lucas Morote Soria
- Charlize O’Connor Cabau
