The British Dressage Pony Selectors Andrew Harris, Pam Bushell and Sue McMahon are pleased to announce the NAF British Pony Dressage Team for the European Championships in Kaposvar, Hungary on 25 – 30 July 2017.
Team (in alphabetical order):
Megan Barratt (15) from Banbury, Oxfordshire with Susan Barratt’s Valido’s Starlight (bay, gelding, 14.2hh, 13yrs, s. Valido)
Anya Kolleth (16) from All Stretton, Shropshire with Phoebe Peters’ SL Lucci (brown, gelding, 14.2hh, 15yrs, s. Lukas)
Charlotte McDowall (15) from Highleadon, Gloucestershire with Samantha Brown’s LE Chiffre (chestnut, gelding, 14hh, 10yrs, s. Caesar 171)
Sophie Taylor (14) from Preston, Lancashire with Becky Moody’s Madam’s Miss Maria (bay, mare, 14hh, 12yrs, s. Wolhoeve’s Silco)
Non-travelling reserves:
First - Holly Kerslake (13) from Lifton, Devon with her own and Carl Trock’s Valhallas Zorro (black, stallion, 14.1hh, 8yrs, s. Valhallas Lord Matrafal)
Second - Jessie Kirby (14) from Wallingford, Oxfordshire with Charlotte Dujardin’s Cruz III (chestnut, gelding, 14.1hh, 8yrs, s. Caesar 171)
Chief Pony Selector Andrew Harris said; “It’s been a very strong group this year which has made the competition for a place on the team fierce and made our job very tough! The chosen four have all proved themselves and with two more than capable reserves, it shows the strength in depth we have in the pony programme. We’re all looking forward to the trip to Hungary and hope we can do everyone proud.”
The selected quartet and reserves will head to Kilbees Farm for a final training camp with team trainer Darryl Thickitt on 18 – 19 July before the ponies travel to John Parker International Horse Transport headquarters in Kent to stable overnight ahead of their journey to Hungary.
The selectors, riders, team staff and all at British Dressage are extremely grateful for the support of our generous team sponsor NAF and team supplier, LeMieux plus the kind hospitality of Tony and Sarah Pidgley at Kilbees Farm.
Lorna George, UK Sales Manager for NAF, who also looks after the NAF rider support programme, commented; “NAF is delighted to be supporting the pony team this year. They’re very much the future of the sport and it’s important to us that they have the best start. I’m looking forward to working with the riders closely to ensure their ponies are in prime health for Kaposvar. This quartet will make history as the first ever Team NAF representatives at a European Dressage Championships and I wish them every success.”
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