In her last year of being eligible, 25-year-old Gemma Tattersall from Horsham, West Sussex, was crowned the British Under-25 Champion at Bramham International Horse Trials CCI*** last weekend.

The overall winner of the under-25 CCI*** was French rider, Donatien Schauly riding his own, Seculaire. They lay in fourth after dressage but good performances cross country and show Jumping put him at the top of the leader board at the end of the competition. They become the first ever French combination to win the under-25 section at Bramham. Donatien also went home the proud owner of a new saddle, courtesy of The Worshipful Company of Saddlers for the highest placed over 21 year old rider in the under-25 section.

Gemma Tattersal, riding Christopher Stone’s Kings Gem, finished in second place behind Donatein on her dressage score of 51.7 and claimed the British under-25 title. Gemma, who is a member of the UK Sport Funded World Class Development programme, last won a nation title in 2004 when she won the British under-21 Championships with Jesters Quest at Weston Park.

Newly crowned national under-25 champion Gemma said of the event: “All three phases just really came together – I feel the horse and I have really formed a great partnership; she absolutely jumped her heart little heart out!” Gemma hopes to make her CCI**** debut with the mare at Pau later this year.

French riders had a good weekend all round in the under-25 section with Maxime Livio and Jaipur II taking third place after posting a double clear. Fourth place and British under-25 runner up went to Flora Harris, riding her own Law Choice. The pair had a good start to the season clocking up placings in the CIC*** at both Barroca and Chatsworth.

The highest placed of this year’s young rider team contenders was 19-year-old Tom McEwen riding Marguerite Boucher and Penelope Buckler’s Major Sweep who finished in eighth place. Dressage leaders Laura Collett with Ginger-May Killinghurst picked up an unfortunate 20 penalties on the cross country but produced a clear show jumping round on the final day to put her into 12th place.