Erin excels in Pony Championship

A Mount St Mary's pupil has helped the Great British team in the Pony European Championships come seventh in the event.  Twelve year old Erin Williams, riding Danny Boy B, was one of the youngest ever riders selected to represent GB at the Championships held at Bishop Burton College in Yorkshire.

In the final stages of the Championship, the British team had been ninth overnight.  But they rose to seventh place after Erin scored 69.55%, which, in the individual results, gave her eighth place.

'I'm over the moon to be in eighth place, as my trainer said she'd be pleased if I got into the top 15,' she said afterwards. 'Before I went in I said to myself 'Yes! Get in there and do it!' which seemed to work.'

Erin trains most mornings before school at 6.30am and rides dressage, one of the only sports where men, women and children all compete on an equal footing.  She was shortlisted for a place in the team after a string of impressive successes throughout the season.  This included a bronze as part of the national team which finished third at France's premier dressage show, the Concours de Dressage International in Saumur.

Paul Scott, director of sport at Mount St Mary's College, said: 'This is the highest honour a pony rider can achieve and considering Erin's age, it is an incredible achievement.'


 Mount St Mary's College

 Pony European Championships