Georgie Spence replaces Ben Hobday on young rider squad

Georgie Spence (pictured) has been brought into the British eventing young rider squad from the reserve list, following a minor injury which has forced Ben Hobday to withdraw Uptons Who.

Uptons Who, a team gold and individual bronze medallist last year, has sustained a small injury since the recent final trial at Aston-le-Walls. Although the injury is not serious, the horse will not now be fit in time for the Europeans in Waragem, Belgium (11-14 September).

Georgie, 20, will ride Christopher Jenkin’s mare Skylight, with whom she finished 14th individually and won a team gold medal at last year’s young rider Europeans in Kreuth, Germany.

Georgie wrote on her website: “Although I am obviously very excited to be travelling I am equally disappointed for Ben, he is a very good friend and is someone who I would have liked to have gone to the Europeans with.”

The rest of the squad consists of:

• Emily Llewellyn, 20, on Pardon Me II, owned by her mother Cindy
• Laura Collett, 19, on Rayef, owned by Jason Houghton
• Emily Parker, 19, on her own Treefers
• Harry Dzenis, 18, on his own Rockin Robin
• Willa Newton, 19, on Neelix, owned by her father Joey

Pippa Roome

H&H magazine editor and eventing editor

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.