A DEVON teenager has cemented her place among the top young horse riders in the country by successfully representing Great Britain at the prestigious Eventing Pony Trial Championships in Ireland held recently. Lizzy Pyle, 15, from Broadwoodkelly was spotted by bosses at British Eventing and invited to the two-day event in Ireland as a potential candidate to represent Great Britain in the European Pony Trial Championships to be held in Italy next July. Lizzy has now been long-listed for the event but will face an agonising wait until June before finding out if she has made the final team. The elite crop of riders in the 14 to 16 age range will meet throughout the winter at training camps with Olympic coaches. Her mother, Jacqui, who is a British Horse Society instructor, said her daughter was really hoping she would be chosen for the GB team for the Europeans, especially as this will be her last year as a junior rider. Over the last 18 months, Lizzy has enjoyed huge success with her horse, Darby?s Knap, in dressage, show jumping and horse trials. Amazingly, Lizzy is also a national cross-country runner, and will compete in a series of running championships in the New Year before concentrating on the eventing season. Lizzy is a scholarship student at the internationally-renowned Stonar Equestrian School in Wiltshire. She first began riding at a very young age, first riding Tickle and then Katie?s Beau Geste before progressing to Darby?s Knap, who is owned by Sophie Rowcliffe of Tiverton. Jacqui thanked the fantastic team who helped Lizzy to achieve such success, including farrier Tony Richardson and vets, suppliers and sponsors. She said Lizzy was looking for more sponsorship to help with transport to and from events. If you can help, Jacqui and Lizzy can be contacted on 01837 851282.
