Amelia Cripps, a 13-year-old from Salisbury, is gearing up to represent England at the Home International Endurance Championships.
The annual equestrian event, hosted this year in Kilkenny, Ireland on August 10 and 11, sees the best from England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland go head-to-head.
Amelia, despite beginning her endurance riding journey just this year, has made an impression on the Endurance GB International Committee.
She'll be riding Ruby bint Sabur, a 12-year-old purebred Arab.
The seasoned horse, owned by Liz Rowland, won the Junior National Title last year with Rowland's daughter, Isabelle.
Liz has been sharing her extensive endurance riding experience with Amelia, helping prepare her for the competition.
Amelia Cripps (Image: True To You Photography)
Amelia said: "I am a little nervous as this is my first really big ride, but I am also really excited and can't wait to represent England. I hope I do a good job!"
Liz said: "I’m really pleased my mare Ruby bint Sabur and her young rider Amelia have been selected to represent England in the Home International. This will be an amazing experience for both of them."
Bella Fricker, the chef d’equipe of the England squad, expressed her confidence in the selected team, praising their exceptional talent.
She said: "We are delighted with our final team. With such a huge pool of talent to choose from, the selection wasn’t easy. We have every confidence in the squad’s ability to tackle the Irish terrain, particularly with such established combinations to represent us."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here