Members of the press were able to watch the riders in action on the
College’s cross-country course, in its brand new International Arena
and in the Olympic-standard Bishop Burton Arena.

College principal and Competition President Jeanette Dawson was delighted to welcome the young athletes to the College. She said: 
“All of the athletes demonstrating their skills here today are definite contenders for squad selection for the European Pony Championships so we are honoured to welcome them to Bishop Burton. To be able to show riders of this level of ability, using the College’s facilities is fantastic.”

Riders in attendance included Grimsby based eventer Holly Woodhead (16), who was selected for both the dressage and pony teams at last year’s Championships.

Holly is hoping to be selected again for the 2010 competition and is working hard to ensure she and her 11-year-old mare Ballymoney are ready for the Championships. She said, “I’m training really hard at home and I’m taking every opportunity to get myself fit and focused. It would mean the world to me to be selected because I really believe my pony deserves the chance.”

Holly has already made her presence felt by selectors after taking three first places at both Oasby and Weston Park Pony Trials.

The eventers were accompanied by pony team trainer Jonquil Hemming, Chairman of Pony Selectors, Ginnie Keen, and Gemma Harriss, International and Youth Co-ordinator at British Eventing.

A team of four dressage riders took to the floor in the Bishop Burton Arena under the watchful eye of the pony dressage team Chef d’Equipe Liz Mills and selectors Paul Hayler and Sarah Pidgley. Roxanne Shipley (15), Olivia Leak (14), Eliza Mason (15) and Megan Carpenter (15) showed off their skills and were followed by Harry Hatton, Megan Chiarella and Christie Morgan who gave the assembled press and guests a fast and furious horseball display.

All of the riders who attended the launch have already enjoyed notable National and International success.

Outside on the International Arena, show jumpers were hard at work with squad trainer Alan Fazakerley, while being watched closely by incoming Chief Executive of British Show Jumping Iain Graham, and Chairman of Performance Development, Clare Whitaker.