Laura aims to be toast of Portugal as she steps up a level

Yet she is not ready to dismiss her chances just yet and with good reason for the teen ace is buoyed by a stellar 2013 with exciting times and a 19th birthday in Portugal around the corner.

Northallerton-born Robinson will fly to Vilamoura on Wednesday as part of a group of British show jumpers embarking on a four-week tour. The European adventure will coincide with her 19th birthday a week on Monday but while admitting a glass of celebratory sangria is a distinct possibility, Robinson is also keen to impress GB’s onlooking selectors.

The Yorkshire ace will already be in their thoughts following a super 2013 in which she helped Team GB to a team silver backed by an individual fourth-placed finish on board Cree Cruiser at last summer’s Junior Europeans in Vejer de la Frontera, Spain. Achieving something similar upped to Young Rider level at this year’s Europeans in Arezzo is now 2014’s main goal.

Battling for selection with riders three years her senior, Robinson knows she has a fight on her hands yet there is plenty to recommend the Yorkshire prospect, who has time and talent very much on her side.

“Last year, I was competing at Juniors which is 18 and under and the next step is Young Riders,” said Robinson. “That’s harder because I am at the bottom of that age category as Young Riders is up to 21 and I think this year will be especially difficult. Some Young Riders that were in there last year are 21 this year and are really, really strong. There are people that are almost guaranteed to be on the team and there’s sort of only one or two places left that could possibly go to quite a lot of different people. I think it will be really difficult but I’m not ready to doubt my chances yet! The Europeans are my main aim but, if I don’t get on that, I will aim for the Stairway Series and then there’s the Under-23 final at Olympia to qualify for as well.”

However 2014 unfolds, success looks guaranteed for Robinson for whom glory at the 2013 Junior Europeans was particularly sweet. The former Polam Hall School pupil had agonisingly missed out on selection for the 2012 GB team and her achievements at the 2013 Europeans were a case of mission accomplished.

“Getting a team silver at the Europeans was a really big achievement because the year before I was so close to getting on the team,” said Robinson, whose dad, Neal, a heating engineer, was a former eventer. “I was a travelling reserve in 2012 so I just didn’t quite make it and I didn’t get to go. Obviously I was gutted but I felt like I needed to come back stronger and go harder in the next year and make sure I proved myself so I got on the team. As I got an individual fourth as well, I felt like I kind of proved myself so that was pretty good. To get a second and a fourth was amazing!”

Now Robinson is ready to impress selectors with a strong 2014 showing which begins in Portugal. The Potto ace is taking three horses to the Continent – 15-year-old Europeans hero Cree Cruiser and 10-year-old Jonti plus rising star seven-year-old Calmond. Robinson knows selectors will be keeping a close eye on results all over Europe with similar tours being held in Spain, Italy and France at the same time. There will, though, be the odd glass of sangria involved, particularly with a 19th birthday to toast.

“I think there will be a little bit of partying but only the nights before the days off and stuff like that!” laughed Robinson. “Hopefully, there will be nice weather as well.”

Yet there is no denying the seriousness of Robinson’s show-jumping escapades with the Yorkshire star putting her equine passions and ambitions above university.

“I considered going to uni but I didn’t really know what to do,” said Robinson, whose horses are owned by dad Neal and grandad Geoffrey.

“Horses have just kind of always been at the forefront of my life so, while everything is going well, I thought I would do that while I still can I suppose. It’s something that I’m good at so I just want to be the best I can kind of thing. I didn’t really think it would be worthwhile going to uni unless there was something that I specifically wanted to do – I didn’t think it was worth it.”

Four days before jetting off to Vilamoura for her 19th birthday, it no doubt feels like the right decision.