Beth Bainbridge has leapt to the top of the Young Riders dressage rankings after two recent major competitions with her piebald Irish draft gelding.
The 16-year-old Romsey School student won the English team selection trials held at the West Wilts Equestrian Centre and a week later she won the under 21Talent Spotting competition, beating 20 other riders to take the top prize.
Now, with the competitions and her GCSE exams behind her, she is off with her horse 'Solo' to join the English team for the Blarney Castle International Dressage Festival on July 5th and 6th.
"It's absolutely amazing, fantastic," said Beth this week. "I'm really pleased."
She's been riding, "for ever", and although she enjoys jumping says she is probably better at dressage.
"I can't remember a time when I didn't ride and I feel so lucky. I've not won any major competitions like these before. I've only had Solo for a year and he's not the usual type of horse for dressage, but he is the best."
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