Final four named for junior eventing team
The selectors have picked the final four members of the British squad for the junior European Eventing Championships in Avenches, Switzerland (2-5 August).
The four riders are:
- Harry Dzenis, 16 and Spider VI
- Marina Lawson-Smith, 16, and Fancy That II (pictured)
- Fergus Payne, 17, and Secret Avalanche
- Rosie Stewart, 17, and Get Up And Go II
These four join Laura Collett and Emily Llewellyn, who were selected back in June.
Laura, 17, will ride Rayef, with whom she won the final trial at Barbury Castle last weekend by nearly 20 marks, with Opposition Legacy as a direct reserve. Emily, 18, rides either her Chepstow under-18 champion Society Spice or Pardon Me II.
Two of the newly-named squad members won three-day events at the end of last year. Marina Lawson-Smith and Fancy That II were junior regional novice champions at Weston Park and have followed that by finishing on their dressage scores at Houghton and Ede CCI*s this year.
Fergus Payne and Secret Avalanche triumphed at Aldon CCI* last autumn and were fourth in the under-18 championships at Chepstow in May.
Harry Dzenis has had three top 10 placings in under-21 open intermediates this year on Spider VI and they finished third in the final trial. Rosie Stewart and Get Up And Go II were 13th on their dressage score at Ede CCI*.
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The reserves are Lissa Green (Pick And Mix II), Eilidh Jane Middleton (Demoiselle) and Hannah Luck (Captain Courageous).
Visit Laura Collett’s website www.lauracollett.com
Visit Emily Llewellyn’s website www.emilyllewellyn.co.uk
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Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.