With just two weeks until the European Championships, the Young Rider selectors have announced Jessica Knapton will come into the team following the withdrawal of Pippa Hutton and Belmondo III. Jess rides her own Dimaggio gelding, Di Spirito and this is the second time the Hull rider has made the team from the reserve pool so she's accustomed to the associated nerves!
The team now is (alphabetical):
Jessica Knapton (19) from Hull, Humberside with her own Di Spirito (chestnut, gelding, 16.1hh, 14yrs, s. Dimaggio) (pic from rider's Facebook page)
Olivia Oakeley (21) from Hedge End, Hampshire with her own Donna Summer (chestnut, gelding, 16hh, 13yrs, s. Dimaggio)
Samantha Thurman-Baker (21) from Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire with her own Highcliffe Apollo (bay, gelding, 16.2hh, 12yrs, s. Der Lenz
Ryan Todd (21) from Halifax, West Yorkshire with Julie Todd’s Charlex Eskebjerg (dark bay, gelding, 16.2hh, 13yrs, s. Carano)
First Reserve: Gaby Lucas (18) from Dunmow, Essex with her own Laurentius II (bay, gelding, 18.1hh, 16yrs)
The young rider squad was joined by the juniors for a pre-championship preparation camp at Kilbees Farm, near Windsor. The facility was generously provided as ever by Sarah and Tony Pidgley and all the riders were very grateful for such amazing surroundings. FEI 5* judge Stephen Clarke paid them a visit and all the riders did their respective team and individual tests which he marked and gave valuable feedback.
Scores:
| Juniors | Team test | Individual test | |
| Lottie Fry | Z Flemmenco | 72.56% | 74.87% |
| Maisie Scruton | Hot Chocolate 43 | 71.75% | 71.84% |
| Jessica Gale | Umbro S | 70.67% | 70.26% |
| Erin Williams | Fleurie | 70.67% | 72.37% |
| Becky Edwards (R) | Ufano | 68.91% | 71.05% |
| Joanna Thurman-Baker (R) | San Piko | 68.78% | 68.03% |
| Young Riders | |||
| Ryan Todd | Charlex Eskebjerg | 72.89% | 72.24% |
| Jessica Knapton | Di Spirito | 72.36% | 71.18% |
| Olivia Oakeley | Donna Summer | 71.44% | 72.37% |
| Samanthan Thurman-Baker | Highcliffe Apollo | 68.42% | 69.47% |
| Gaby Lucas (R) | Laurentius | 70.39% | 70.26% |
The squads set off for the two day journey on 02 July to arrive in Arezzo on the 4th which gives a number of days for acclimatisation before we get underway with competition on 09 July. Event website – click here.
