Whittling squad down for the big test at Bishop Burton

Top young international riders from all over Europe will compete in show-jumping, dressage and eventing over the four days and this week some of our young hopefuls were trying out the facilities at the college.

Representatives and coaches from the three different disciplines were there to watch them and look at the arenas and cross country course. "It's the biggest thing to happen here in terms of competitions and we are really excited about it," said college principal Jeanette Dawson.

Ginnie Keen, team manager and chairman of selectors for British Eventing, said the squad would be selected after the final trial at Brand Hall, Staffordshire at the beginning of June. "We are now down to the final 50 and it really is open. There's a lot of pressure on them."

The show-jumping squad will be selected at the beginning of July. "It's nice to have the competition in England and this is a really good venue," said Clare Whitaker, who is chairman of performance and development for British Show-jumping. British Dressage now have 11 riders on their shortlist and will also be making a final selection early in July.

Running alongside the event will be the European Horseball Pony Championships.

EQUINE artist Caro Ward is holding a live horse drawing workshop at the North Light Gallery at Armitage Bridge, Huddersfield tomorrow.

The gallery is in a converted textile mill and Caro will be on hand to help and advise participants – and keep an eye on the equine model.

The workshop is being held as part of her exhibition, The Horse in Art, which runs until May 28. The inspiration came after she visited exhibitions of the work of George Stubs which featured his famous Whistlejacket painting, which were on show at Leeds and York City art galleries.