European contest for young riders

TEAMS of young riders from all over Europe have descended on Bishop Burton College, near Beverley, this week to compete in the FEI European Pony Championships which continue until Sunday.
By The Newsroom
Published 29th Jul 2010, 00:26 BST
Updated 29th Jul 2010, 00:26 BST

It is the first time the competition has returned to this country in 13 years and it has never been held before in the North of England. The FEI (Federation Equestre Internationale) is the international governing body for Olympic equestrian disciplines.

The championships involve dressage, showjumping and eventing and the competitors are all aged between 12 and 16 – the potential equestrian stars of the future.

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Teams from 13 different countries are competing and the action began yesterday with dressage. Charlotte (Lottie) Fry, 14, from Driffield was the first member of Great Britain's team into the arena, riding her pony Andexer. She was followed by Yorkshire team mate Charlotte Gill, 16, from York.

The dressage competition continues this morning with show jumping and the eventing cross country to follow on Friday and Saturday.

Running alongside this event are the European Horseball Pony Championships. Teams from five countries are competing in this sport, known as "rugby on horseback", over four days.

The college is also holding a Town and Country event at the weekend when there will be a variety of displays and attractions on view as well as all the equestrian action.

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