last updated on March 25, 2010 09:55

Providing one of the few opportunities for our pony, junior and young rider hopefuls to compete at international level on home soil Addington CDIJYP is an important competition for British U21 team hopefuls and seniors alike. The competition takes place at the prestigious dressage venue Addington Manor Equestrian Centre, Bucks. 2-4 April 2010.

In the young rider section 18 year old Emily Harris (pictured) from Lymington, Hants, fresh from success at the Spanish sunshine tour will be one to watch partnered with Judith Sharrock’s 15 year old gelding Washington 103. Nine British riders compete in all, amongst them two notable combinations make their debut at international young rider level;

Para European gold medalist Sophie Wells makes the jump to able bodied international competition with her top rides Pinocchio and Valerius while Suzanne Coleridge Smith competes Nicola Mcgivern’s well loved grand prix horse Active Walero. The recently downgraded 19 year old Hanoverian has been offered to Suzanne so he can continue to compete in the sport he loves but at a slightly less demanding level.

Susannah commented; “I am thrilled by the opportunity to ride this amazing horse and will do all I can to secure a place on the Great Britain Young rider team this year. I would like to thank Nicola and all the sponsors involved in bringing this wonderful opportunity about”.

Eight junior riders are forward to compete with 14 year old Chloe Hunter from the West Midlands and Orvieto showing the most recent form, having won their section at the recent Myerscough premier league show.

With the Pony European Championships taking place on home soil later this year at Bishop Burton, ten pony riders will be pulling out all the stops and aiming to catch the selector’s eyes as they vie for places on the British team. Several new pony combinations compete are competing at international level for the first time including 13 year old Carmen Gammie making the trip down from Aberdeen with her eight year old Welsh pony Champagne Bubbles.

Senior riders too are ramping up their own campaigns ahead of the coming selection for WEG 2010: Carl Hester, Richard Davison, Fiona Bigwood, Steph Croxford and Anna Ross-Davies are among the British competitors confirmed while international riders include Kyra Kyrklund for Finland and Canadian Cheryl Meisner who recently took the ride on Liebling.

Admission is free and spectators are encouraged to go along and support our riders.
Definite entries will be available here 29 March 2010.
click here to visit the show website