Following a closely fought Charles Owen British Pony Championships at Brand Hall in Shropshire recently, British Eventing’s pony selectors have announced a shortlist of nine riders who are in contention for selection for this year’s European Championships at Bishop Burton (July 29 – August 1 2010).

Those shortlisted will attend a training weekend on June 26/27 after which the squad and reserves will be announced. The squad will then have a final run at Shipton Moyne, Gloucestershire, on July 6/7 in the open novice, before heading to the European Championships.

Chairman of pony selectors, Ginnie Keen commented: “We have many good combinations in contention this year which makes it difficult to select the squad straight after Brand Hall. The decision to select after the training weekend will allow us to have assessed all the ponies so we can ensure we have the strongest possible squad to take to Bishop Burton.”

Short listed Riders in alphabetical order

Sophie Beaty (14) Finedon, Northants with Done and Dusted VI

Alfie Bradstock (16) Wantage, Oxfordshire with Montezuma II

Sam Ecroyd (13) Holywell, Flintshire with Catherston Nutsafe & Three Wells Breeze

Pumba Goess-Saurau (13) Marlborough, Wiltshire with Killacoran Blue

Phillipa Hill (14) Thirsk, Yorkshire with A Touch of Spice

Sophie How (15) Rushton, Northants with The Sky Master

Harry Humfrey (15) Crymych, Pembrokeshire with Tantany Torch

Emily Jane Ryder (15) Pitlochry, Perthshire with Mr Moon

Grace Walker (13) Membury, Wiltshire with Noble Springbok