British Dressage Youth European Championship Team Selection

The British Under 21 Selectors have announced the combinations selected to represent Great Britain at the 2023 FEI European Championships for Ponies, Juniors, and Young Riders.

With a successful spring international season complete, the British Dressage U21 Selectors are pleased to confirm the combinations selected at Nominated Entry stage to take part in this year’s FEI Pony, Junior, and Young Rider European Championships.

The FEI Young Rider European Championships are the first to take place at Stable Unikornis in Pilisjászfalu, Hungary, on 11–16 July, followed by the FEI Junior European Championships at Kronberg in Germany, on 18–23 July, and finally the FEI Pony European Championships at Le Mans in France, from 24–30 July, concluding a non-stop month of youth championship competition.

Selected combinations

Please note that these selections are for the purposes of Nominated Entries and the final team line-ups will be confirmed at the Definite Entries stage for each of the age categories.

Young Riders – Pilisjászfalu, Hungary, 11–16 July

Ruby Hughes (15) from Southam, Warwickshire, with Kate Lister’s World Exclusive (chestnut gelding, 2006, World of Dreams x Rohdiamant, WBS). * Selectors’ second preference

Lily Laughton (19) from Chippenham, Wiltshire, with Alicia Laughton's Skovborgs Romadinov (chestnut gelding, 2006, DWB).

Jessica McConkey (21) from Watlington, Oxfordshire, with her own Lady Gaga (bay mare, 2009, Quaterback x Solos Landwind, DWB).

Annabella Pidgley (18) from Windsor, Berkshire, with Sarah Pidgley’s Espe (bay mare, 2014, Escolar x Dimaggio, WESTF).

Direct reserve
Jessica McConkey (21) from Watlington, Oxfordshire, with her own Wilson Stensvang (dark bay gelding, 2010, Wilkens x Blue Hors Don Schufro, DWB).

First reserve
India Durman-Mills (18) from Leicester, Leicestershire, with Verity Saul’s Escade (bay gelding, 2009, Jazz, KWPN).

Second reserve
Lilah Gibbs (21) from London, with her own Dude III (black gelding, 2011, Dancier x Rubinstein, HANN).

Third reserve
Claudia Davis (19) from Loughton, Essex, with her own Fergus RT (black gelding, 2010, Uphill x Ferro, KWPN).

Juniors – Kronberg, Germany, 18–23 July

Mette Dahl (16) from Haywards Heath, West Sussex, with Fiona Bigwood’s Caporal de Massa (grey stallion, 2012, Rieto x Xaquiro, LUSIT).

Myles Graham (16) from Swindon, Wiltshire, with Caroline Bell’s Nibeley Union Hit (dark bay mare, 2007, Nibeley Union Jack x Sandro Hit, AES).  * Selectors’ first preference

Ruby Hughes (15) from Southam, Warwickshire, with Gareth and Rebecca Hughes and Julia Hornig’s Classic Goldstrike (chestnut gelding, 2011, Tango x Krack C, KWPN). * Selectors’ first preference

Isla Sully (14) from Glastonbury, Somerset, with Cassandra Sully’s Vagabond de Massa (bay gelding, 2009, Rieto x Xaquiro, LUSIT). * Selectors’ first preference

First reserve
Sophia Marston (17) from Coventry, West Midlands, with Kim Murray and Seonaidh O’Neill’s E-mail (bay gelding, 2009, Jazz, KWPN).

Second reserve
Isabella Caldwell (15) from Knutsford, Cheshire, with Katie Caldwell, Sarah Higgins and Pip Higgins’ Don Geniro (chestnut gelding, 2007, Don Kennedy x Giorgione, BHHS).

Third reserve
Sophie Wallace (16) from Stroud, Gloucestershire, with Ursula Bechtolsheimer and Laura Tomlinson’s First Light (grey gelding, 2016, Fürstenball, OLDBG).with her own

Ponies – Le Mans, France, 24–30 July

Sofia Games (15) from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, with Lauren Geraghty’s WS Jackson (chestnut gelding, 2011, Chiskin Jaguar x His Highness, AES).

Ella Glennon (15) from Tavistock, Devon, with Debbie Glennon’s Amden Supreme Golden Dancer (palomino gelding, 2016, Dating AT x Scampi, DRP).

Myles Graham (16) from Swindon, Wiltshire, with Caron Roberts’ Dresscode Cocktail (dun gelding, Top Carlos Cassini, WESTF) * Selectors’ second preference

Abigail Gray (15) from Banchory, Aberdeenshire, with her own George Clooney B.S (grey gelding, 2011, Caesar 171 x Santano, KWPN). 

Direct reserve
Sofia Games (15) from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, with Janet Oliver and Katie Oliver-Games’ Steendieks Cadillac (chestnut gelding, 2011, FS Chambertin, HOLST)

First reserve
Demi Howard-Cartwright (15) from Ascot, Berkshire, with her own Fin C WE (chestnut gelding, 2003, Famos x Eiger III).

Second reserve
Isla Sully (14) from Glastonbury, Somerset, with Cassandra Sully’s Reitland’s Don Totilas (dun gelding, 2007, Diamond x Nixen). * Selectors’ second preference

Third reserve
Fleur Pocock (14) from Whitchurch, Shropshire, with her own Brouwershaven’s Jasper (bay gelding, 2012, Valerio x Vita Nova’s Hanassie).

Myles Graham, Ruby Hughes, and Isla Sully have each qualified and been selected for teams in two age groups, with the selectors’ first and second preference indicated in the lists above.

Riders cannot contest two FEI European Championship age categories in the same calendar year, therefore upon definite entries and declaration of all competing riders for the British teams, Myles, Ruby, and Isla will be withdrawn from their second preference team and replaced by the first named Reserves, in order.

All selected combinations will attend pre-European Championship training camps before beginning their final preparation to fly the flag for Great Britain at a busy summer of continental championship shows. 

British Dressage would like to warmly congratulate all selected riders and their dedicated network of connections and supporters, as well as all other short-listed combinations and those who represented Great Britain at CDI fixtures at U21 level throughout the spring.

BD International Director Judy Harvey commented; "Our Under 21 riders continue to improve and develop, and all those contesting the team places have shown so much talent and dedication. This year we have also seen established riders move up through the age categories, making opportunities available for new partnerships. Our Young Rider and Junior Teams are well within the medal zones and, if they can produce personal bests, the Pony Team has a strong chance as well. The Ponies will also benefit from a CDI running alongside the Championships in Le Mans providing a valuable opportunity for those who didn’t quite make the cut to experience the Championship atmosphere, whilst cheering on the Team. All credit goes to the Selectors, Chef d’Equipes, Coach Advisors and Performance Manager, as well as to the riders and their support networks. I wish them all the best of luck and look forward to following the results.”