A TAVISTOCK teenager will be packing her horse-box next month and heading off to the Czech Republic to represent Great Britain in a European competition.

Sam Cutts, 18, will compete with her horse Piccola Star at the Junior European Eventing Championships after a brilliant performance to finish second at the final junior trial.

Sam and Piccola Star flew round the technical cross country course, the most challenging they have ever faced, and had to pull up at the end to avoid time penalties for being too quick.

The following day, they were invited to the junior team trainer?s house to take part in the final selection process and were chosen as one of the six combinations who will take part in the European championship.

She said: ?I was absolutely thrilled as being chosen was a real dream come true ? a culmination of many years? hard work, as well as difficult to achieve whilst taking six A levels.

?I owe my horse a great deal ? she really is truly amazing.?

Sam, who started riding aged 3, gained her place in the final trial after getting the season?s best one day results of any junior combination in the country by coming first, second and third at consecutive intermediate events.

She rides regularly at the Spooner and West Dartmoor Pony Club and is trained by Alison Abbey at Duchy College.

Sam said: ?It all started as a bit of a hobby, but has taken up more and more of my life as I?ve progressed; it?s all good fun though.?

Dependent on her A level results, Sam is planning to take a gap year before going to Cambridge University to read veterinary medicine, and she has also reached the final 12 of the British Biology Olympiad.

Sam and Piccola Star have received invaluable help and support from small businesses in the area, including an equine and canine feed supplier near Launceston, but are now looking for further financial assistance in the costly run up to the European event. Anyone interested can contact Sam on 01822 841253.