BROMHAM teenager Libby Seed added a sparkling finish to her time as a pony rider as she helped Great Britain to a team gold medal at last week’s Pony European Championships.

The 16-year-old and her ride Mr Vick finished seventh overall (49.2 penalties) in Arezzo, Italy, jumping a clear showjumping round on Sunday to help Britain, sponsored by Charles Owen, top the podium.

Dauntsey’s School pupil Seed, who is awaiting her GCSE results, was thrilled to earn gold on her European championship debut, but admits that she leaves ponies behind with a heavy heart.

“It was really happy. There were six of us that went out there, but we didn’t know the four of us that were going to be in the team until we were there,” said Seed.

“I wasn’t 100 per cent sure that I was going to be picked but it was really exciting when I was and he (Mr Vick) was amazing.

“He’s slightly bigger for a pony so I was worried how he would cope with the heat, but he did really well.

“I’ll probably frame my medal and put it up on the wall. Finishing seventh means that I’m the seventh-best in Europe, so I can’t be too disappointed with that.

“It was a great way to finish riding ponies, but I am a little bit sad about leaving that behind, especially after it’s gone so well for the last four years.

“Four years ago, I didn’t know a thing about it but I’ve learned so much from Jonquil Heming (British pony team trainer), Maggie Doel (based near Lacock) and Lucinda Fredericks (Australia Olympic eventer based at Little Cheverell).

“I’ve got two horses, called What a Catch and Leonard Lightning, that I’m going to start working on now.”

Britain’s Yasmin Ingham won individual gold in Arezzo while Wiltshire’s Pumbaa Goess-Saurau, 16, and Chelsea Pearce, 14, represented Britain in the individual competition, finishing 12th and 15th respectively.

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