A BERE Ferrers teenager, currently one of Britain's top junior three-day eventers, recently helped Britain towards a team gold at an international event in Poland.
Sam Cutts, aged 18, provided back up to the British all-girl squad which stole the gold medal from the Italian and German teams during the final show jumping phase of the
European three-day event championships for young riders at Bialy Bor.
Sam was grooming horses for the team — an invitation which came following her success at the junior eventing championships in the Czech Republic earlier this year, in which she came 25th out of 67 riders. She also had the chance to walk the course and watch the squad compete.
She said: 'It was a great honour and experience, because it enabled me to join the squad and gain more experience at this level. Competing with Britain's Young Riders three-day event team is the next step up for me after riding with the juniors.'
Sam has also just passed passed her Pony Club 'A' test in stable management, the highest level of practical achievement awarded by the club. Sam passed the test with honours in two out of the four subject areas.
Sam, who recently gained six grade A passes at A-level, is taking a year out before going to Cambridge University to study veterinary science.
Her long-term ambitions are to qualify as a vet, compete at Badminton Horse Trials in 2005 and ride with the British senior eventing team in the 2012 Olympic Games.
Sam is sponsored by Gill Akaster solicitors and Launceston-based equine feed supplier Poolecrest.
Anyone interested in sponsoring Sam should call her on 01822 841253.