British Youth Squad

FEI Driving European Championships 2024

23 June 2024

British Youth Squad (U25, Juniors & Children)

Children (12-14) Single Pony

Isla Cooper (12) with Harriet Bradford’s Gweunydd Ceirio aka Cheerio.

Isla from Surrey, has been selected to represent Great Britain for the first time - and is our youngest squad member!

Isla has been driving with the British Young Drivers for around 6 years and has been lucky to have pony Cheerio for the last couple.

They will be travelling out to Sweden with her mum (Katie Cooper) and her huge support crew; Auntie Alice, the Grandparents (Helen and David Pritchard) and sister Evelyn who is also chief cheerleader!

Isla is most looking forward to waving the Union Jack flags during the Opening Ceremony as well as doing the obstacles!

Jamie from Berkshire has been selected to represent Great Britain for the first time.

He has been driving with the British Young Drivers for the last 2 years and working hard for a place on the Squad.

Jamie will be travelling out to Sweden with his mum (Sarah Hordern) and dad (Chris Hordern).

They all cannot wait for the moment they drive onto the showground in Flyinge knowing that they've made it!

Lily from Devon has been selected to represent Great Britain for the first time.

Lily has quite literally taken over the reins from her mum and is most looking forward to driving the obstacles in Sweden.

She will be travelling out with her Mum, Dad and younger Brother.

Hopefully they remember to pack the treats as Jazz loves them!

Juniors (14-18) Single Pony

Sponsored by Halspan, Izzy from Kent has been selected for her second Squad place.

Although a fan of the challenge of Marathon day, Izzy has been really enjoying Dressage this year as Brock and his owner Ruth have taught her so much more.

Both of Brock's owners Ruth and John will be coming to Sweden, along with; Phillipa Howe as groom and her mum (Anna White) who is in charge of organising everyone, feeding everyone and the most sought after job, dressage groom.

Supported by Riding & Harness Stuff, Just Strong and Mr Scratchings, Ruby from Yorkshire has been selected to represent Great Britain for the first time.

She has been driving with the British Young Drivers for 3.5 years and training hard in pursuit of a place on the squad.

Travelling out with Ruby will be her Mum, Dad, Grandad, family friend Donna and Neat Sharrock who will be grooming in all three phases.

As it's her first time at a Championships Ruby is looking forward to meeting new people and Nations Night!

Sophie from Surrey has been selected to represent Great Britain for the first time.

Born into a driving family she has always admired her Mum's team of horses and got her first driving pony at age 6.

Sophie's favourite phase and what she is most looking forward to in Sweden is the excitement of Marathon day section B!

Making up her support team will be her mum (Georgina), Dad (Toby), and God Mother Sara.

Juniors (14-18) Pony Pair

Sponsored by Champion Hats and Equine America, Phoebe from Cookham, Berkshire joins the squad for the first time with her pony pair, a new challenge as she changes class and age group.

Phoebe drove Woody #1 single at the last two championships and he still is an important member of her new turnout in all three phases.

Joining Phoebe and her ponies in Sweden will be Auntie Clare Campbell as groom, parents/owners/trainers/lorry driver David & Verity Matthews, Karen Hellier & John Ripley and Hilly Withenshaw who is owed an extra thank you for lending Phoebe her Bennington carriage and pair harness, as well as helping drive the lorry out.

U25 (16-25) Single Pony

Amy from Cookham, Berkshire has been selected for the third time to represent Great Britain.

She has been focusing on her studies, however now A-Level exams are finally over, Amy is looking forward to meeting up with friends she has made on the European circuit.

She has been driving Spud with the British Young drivers for 5 years and although they enjoy all phases, Amy says that cones are probably her favourite.

Travelling out to Sweden with her will be Hilly Withenshaw as groom and lorry driver and of course parents/owners/trainers/lorry driver David & Verity Matthews.

Charlie from Cambridgeshire, has been selected to represent Great Britain for the first time.

Having competed in various disciplines, Charlie has been driving competitively for eight years.

Now, to be representing his country and have a place on the squad is the highlight of the European experience for him.

Joining Charlie in Sweden will be his mum (Janice) and Philippa Scott as groom.

Sponsored by Balanced Horse Feeds, Sophia from Kent has been selected for the second time to represent Great Britain.

She has been driving Dream for 2 years, but picked up the reins 7 years ago.

In Sweden Sophia will be supported by her mum (Marina) and Auntie Anna Grayston who are looking forward to going on another European adventure together.

Megan from Derbyshire, has been selected to represent Great Britain once again.

She has been part of the British Young Drivers for 16 years and is heading to her sixth European Youth Championships.

As always, it will be a family outing in Sweden as Megan will be joined by her mum (Tracey) as groom and her dad (Dave) who's in charge of all the 'good' jobs like logistics and carriage prep!

Pin badges are back and Megan is looking forward to swapping with as many of the other nations as possible.

Support crew

Many thanks to Cath Brockie for her very generous donation to the Junior fund and to all of those who have contributed through the just giving page.

It’s a long way to Sweden ! You can support the squad here: www.justgiving.com/campaign/british-young-drivers

Follow the squad on their way to the Championships: