European challenge for rising star Erin

The 12-year-old Derbyshire school girl, who has been seledcted for the dressage team, is the youngest member of the GB team by three years.

The team consists of the best four riders in Great Britain under the age of 16 and will compete against other teams from across Europe at the championships which begin on Tuesday at Bishop Burton College.

Erin, of Barlow, is a pupil at Mount St Mary's College, Spinkhill, and is up early most mornings before school to train. She was shortlisted for a place in the team after an impressive season. These included a bronze as part of the national team at the top dressage show in France, the Concours de Dressage International in Saumur.

"Being selected to represent my country is a real honour – it makes all the hard work this season well worth it," said Erin. "I am determined to ride as well as I can and gain as much from this fantastic experience as possible."

Erin will be accompanied at the championships by her trainer, Sonia Webster and the GB team trainer, Peter Storr.

There is a chance to see some top-class polocrosse action this weekend when Celyn Polocrosse Club near Chester host the UK versus Ireland polocrosse test matches. The two-day event will see the Irish men's, women's and junior sides taking on the UK.

If you would like to find out more about the sport, which is a combination of polo and lacrosse, entry is free.

For more information go to www.celynpolox.co.uk