Youngsters gearing up for Euro pony squad at Bishop Burton College (From Gazette & Herald)

Youngsters gearing up for Euro pony squad at Bishop Burton College

12:39pm Thursday 4th February 2010

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A GROUP of potential future eventing stars gathered at Bishop Burton College for a clinic with British Eventing (BE) coach and Derby House Pony Eventing Squad trainer Jonquil Hemming.

The purpose of the clinic was to prepare the youngsters for the standard of riding expected by the FEI European Pony Championships, which are being held at Bishop Burton College in July.

All of the eight riders attending the session are aiming for squad selection for the Championships.

“The idea behind the training is to give the riders tips and advice to help them get on and prepare for this standard of competition,” said Jonquil.

“The most fundamental thing I find when taking these clinics is that the riders are not always aware of how crucial their position and posture is and how this can affect how their horse goes.”

The clinics are open to those riders who have applied to go through the Pony Trials process in order to be available for squad selection, although there is no obligation for any rider who attends a clinic to go onto to take part in any Pony Trials.

East Yorkshire rider Annabel Gray, 16, is aiming for squad selection in 2010, her final year on ponies.

Annabel said: “I’m putting everything I have into it this year to get selected. I’m having lessons with Camilla Parsonage and these clinics are great.”

The group also included Philippa Hill, of North Yorkshire, an ‘A’' Squad rider who enjoyed good results last year and only narrowly missed out on squad selection for the 2009 European Pony Championships.

As Derby House Pony Eventing Squad trainer, Jonquil is aiming to beat the silver gained by the eventing team at the 2009 championships and has the German team firmly in her sights.

She said: “Of course we are aiming for gold this year, but the Germans are always difficult to beat – particularly in dressage as they have such high-quality animals.

“It would be fantastic to take gold at a home competition.”

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