British Pony Squad travel to Belgium
| British Pony Squad travel to Belgium This week sees the talented Derby House British Pony Squad travel to Moorsele, Belgium to challenge for the title at the European Pony Championships (29 July - 2 August). The squad will be aiming to go one better than last year and bring home the team Gold from this years European Championships. The six-strong squad was selected following six specialised pony trials around Britain and the Charles Owen British Pony Championships at Brand Hall in Shropshire last month (5-7 June). | |
This trip to Belgium has been possible thanks to the unerring support of the UK Sport funded Equestrian World Class Programme, which supports a pathway to success for Eventing, Show Jumping, Dressage and Para-Equestrian Dressage athletes. The aim is to have in place a sustainable system that can deliver more medals on the international stage now and in the future. The Programme has been funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, primarily from the National Lottery, via UK Sport since 1998.
Representing British Eventing and Great Britain out in Belgium are:
- 15 year-old Ella McEwen from Swindon, Wiltshire on Catherston Nutsafe, owned by Lizzie Murray and Jennie Loriston-Clarke
- 14 year-old Jessica Watts from Lutterworth, Leicestershire on her pony, Lord Of The Ring
- 16 year-old Lottie Kennedy from Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire, riding her pony Darraks Tonto
- 15 year-old Sophie Martin from Ellesmere, Shropshire and her pony Trewithian Bracken
- 15 year-old Alfie Bradstock from Wantage in Oxfordshire on Montezuma II, owned by Louise Hamilton
- 16 year-old Katie Bleekman from Cullompton, Devon on Cregaan Scenic, owned by Team Bleekman
Four of the riders are making their squad debut, and can rely on the experience of fellow squad member Ella McEwen and Catherston Nutsafe, a stalwart of the Silver Medal winning Team at the European Pony Championships in Avenches last year.
Also making a return to the Derby House British Pony Squad is Lottie Kennedy and her pony Darraks Tonto, who rode as an individual in the European Pony Championships in 2007.
The team of four and the two individuals will be announced after the ponies have been trotted up and been measured by the FEI officials.
Chairman of the Pony Selectors, Ginnie Keen, is looking forward to this year's Europeans: "This group of riders is the most lovely lot of young people and I'm very much looking forward to taking them to Belgium on our quest for medals.
"This is the first year that we can take six riders instead of the usual five and it's very exciting to have four riders that are new to the squad as they can take advice from Ella and Lottie, who will help them greatly.
"I'd like to thank all our sponsors, Derby House, Charles Owen, N.E.W Equine Wear and Parkgate Equestrian, for their continued support. I'd also like to make a special mention to UK Sport, the Worshipful Company of Saddlers and the Horse Trials Support Group for their generosity"
British Eventing Chief Executive Mike Etherington-Smith says: "We are lucky as a sport to have so many talented young event riders.
"Great Britain has triumphed with its Pony Eventing team over the last four years, with them bringing back seven Team and Individual Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals. We wish them all the best in Belgium."
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Added on: 29/07/09.
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