In preparation of the 2011international pony show season, British pony team trainer Peter Storr organized a first squad training at the Unicorn Trust in Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire on 20 and 21 November 2010. The meeting included riding the team championship test on Saturday and a training session with Storr on Sunday. Chef d'equipe Liz Mills practised the trot-up with the squad members and the ponies were measured again.
Erin Williams, 2010 British Pony team member, reported on the session in her blog:
"I rode the FEI Team Test for Peter to mark," said Williams. "Danny Boy went very well and Peter gave me some good marks and positive comments – he did laugh at me being so relaxed that I forgot to do a simple change over X!! I know the Team Test test like the back of my hand so I did look a bit daft to say the least! Peter gave me an 8 for a half pass which is something I had been working on with Sonia so it helped to make up for my ‘blond’ moment!! The lesson on the Sunday was even better and Peter had me working on improving my riding position in canter (he never mentioned my hands which was a first!!) and doing travers into shoulder-in in canter to help Danny maintain his bend around my leg and improve my canter to walk transitions. Peter was really pleased to see how loose and supple Danny was looking and commented on his super condition."
The 2011 British FEI Pony Squad includes 10 riders who will aim to make the British team for the 2011 European Pony Championships. Four riders were on the squad last year, six of them are new.
The 2010 British Pony squad includes:
- Lily Hewitt - Monticello
- Gabrielle Lucas - Topstar
- Phoebe Peters - Hill Men
- Jade Ritchie - Principal
- Lucy Rogers - Little Jasper
- Robyn Smith - Siepke’s Celtic
- Chloe Vell - Danger 36
- Lottie Fry - Andexer
- Carmen Gammie - Champagne Bubbles
- Erin Williams - Danny Boy B
The national pony squad for 2011 includes:
- Amber Barton - Stafford Early Night
- Megan Carpenter - Pablo S
- Leah Coleman - Ballymena High Hopes
- Joshua Hill - Seren Benfro
- Ruth Hole - Bernwode Chantal
- Bethany?Rose Horobin - Leonties Double
- Annie Lloyd?Aylett - Realto
- Alicia Patrick - Schermeer’s Hof Arendsoog
- Alexandra Snape - Lionceau
- Hetty Stanley - Special Edition
- Beth Turnbull -Bertie Bassett IV
- Aimee Witkin - Visconti King
The next squad training is scheduled for 20 - 21 December 2010 weather permitting.
Th first team test observation trial for the British pony riders will be at the Addington High Profile show on 21-23 January. The competition is not compulsory but its results may have effect on the composition of the squads.
Photos © Astrid Appels - Clare Williams
Related Links
Eurodressage Coverage of the 2010 European Pony Championships
High Quality FEI Dressage Ponies for Sale via Eurodressage.com