Charlotte takes up reins for Britain

EQUESTRIAN CHARLOTTE Calvert has been selected for the British Dressage Young Riders Team (BYRDS).

The 11-year-old has been riding for almost three years but had most of the first year off due to a fall from a pony resulting in a broken shoulder.

Undeterred, she picked up her reins as soon as she was allowed and began making up for lost time.

Her pony is a 12.2hh grey, Welsh section B called Bronheulog Alycat or known as TJ at home.

Inspired by her idol and pen pal, Phoebe Peters – the under 25s European champion – Charlotte quickly began to show her prowess.

Though TJ wasn’t trained for dressage when he was bought 18 months ago, with Charlotte’s determination he has ●● Charlotte Calvert and TJ perform at The College Equestrian Centre quickly taken to it.

Charlotte was selected last month for the British Dressage Young Riders Team (BYRDS) and was asked to represent the Northern Area at a national competition held at The College Equestrian Centre in Bedfordshire earlier this month.

She had to compete over two days for her team, riding three tests overall.

The scores over the two days are added together and a mean average is taken to determine the winners.

Charlotte finished fifth individually, scoring a whopping 89.8 per cent.

Charlotte’s proud mum, Alison, said: “They both really stepped up to the level of more experienced riders and TJ was an absolute superstar the whole weekend, particularly as neither of them have competed away from home before and nerves and tension can play a big part in dressage!”

Charlotte is a pupil at Crawshawbooth Primary School and starts at Haslingden High School in September where she will hope to be included in the Hall of Fame, where all pupils who represent their county or country can have their photograph next to the sports hall. ●● Matthew Mackay