The squads are divided into sections for each age group. Ponies have the riders picked for National and Squad Training, and Juniors and Young Riders have Potential, Progress and Prime.
Those in the Pony Squad/Prime Squad are the riders who will eventually be shortlisted for the European Championships; the end goal for all Under 21 riders. However what makes things all the more exciting is that, during the next season, riders will be constantly reviewed according to their development or under-performing. This means they can be moved around within the squads, making it possible for a rider in a Potential Squad to have a highly successful season and end up on the European Team!
Only time will tell, and over the next few months our youth squads will be contesting all around the country at Premier Leagues and High Profile Shows before final selections are made for international competitions. It is the results of these competitions that determine who will be on our dream teams and be watched (hopefully winning a medal) at the European Championships.
At the selection day, which getting invited to attend is an achievement in itself, all hopefuls get to ride an FEI Team Test in front on an international judge and the panel of selectors. The test is ridden in competition conditions including a gallery of spectators which adds to the tension and produces more of an atmosphere for horses and riders to cope with. Everyone is nervous and excited and the audience is full of proud parents, supporters and tense trainers!
Daisy's Dressage Disclosure
British Dressage Update written by Daisy Jackson
So, on to the Junior Prime Selection:
Junior Prime
Charlotte Fry and Remming
Jessica Gale and Umbro S
Maisie Scruton and Hot Chocolate
Chloe Vell and Kaja Di Valentina
Erin Williams and Fleurie
Junior Progress
Charlotte Dicker and Catherston
Springsteen
Alice Edmonds and Broadstone Jackanory
Ruth Hole and Winnetou GEP
Bethany Shipley and Wanour S
Jessica Wade and Lord Nelson IV
Harriette Williams and Diamondez
Junior Potential
Izzy Chaplin and Taijdora
Ella Cotterill and Mibikus
Emily Hedger and O’Donner
Lily Latimer Smith and Classic Vazire
Lauren Ruffle and Royal Lady
Ella and Mibikus. Photography kind permission from Kevin Sparrow
This month, I wanted to focus on the results of the Under 21’s viewing days which concluded with next year’s squads being selected. This is such an exciting time for all the youngsters that have usually spent years preparing for this highly competitive selection trial.
After a tough decision of squad selecting last year, the panel created an extra part to the squads titled 'Potential'. This way, the selectors can keep an eye on up and coming combinations who had just missed out on joining the Prime and Progress squads. This has opened up opportunity for more riders and newly formed combinations.
Junior Prime Potential Rider Ella Cotterill
This is 15 year olds Ella Cotterill’s first taste of being on a potential squad, and her excitement is hard to contain! Ella told me:...
“Just getting to the selection day was an achievement, but to actually get onto one of the squads is an amazing feeling as you know Daisy! Being selected came as quite a shock as on
now, but I've only been properly competing him since May as I was concentrating on Bailey (Ella's other horse). Mibi is an 18 year old British Warmblood by Grand Prix stallion Midt-West Ibi Light, and he was bred by Anne Seifert-Cohn. He is owned by my mum, Jane Cotterill.”
Ella is training with Charlie Sawyer and Charlotte Dujardin and is hopefully a combination we will be seeing more of in the future!
Ella and Mibikus
Photography and kind permission from Kevin Sparrow
the day, things didn't
go as well as they could
have, but luckily they
saw potential for a lot more marks, and
it's a privilege to be
on the squads to be
honest! It's made me
much more determin-
ed as a rider, and now
I have this opportunity,
I don't want to throw
it away! I've being
riding Mibi for a year