Dressage starlet Amelia Moncrieff earns Team GB selection for Hickstead International

A young school girl is on track to take the dressage world by storm after earning selection to ride for Team GB.
Amelia MoncrieffAmelia Moncrieff
Amelia Moncrieff

Rossett School pupil Amelia Moncrieff has been selected to ride at the Hickstead CDI in July, the UK’s premier dressage venue.

Taking her seven-year-old pony DST Don’t Panic, which was bought as an unproven five-year-old, she will be one of the youngest rider combinations at the competition.

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The 12-year-old said she was delighted to be living her dream next month.

“Our next goal is to travel overseas next year to represent GB in France or Holland, then to work towards the chance of representing Team GB at the European Championships in years to come,” said Amelia.

DST Don’t Panic, nicknamed Ollie, was taken on by Amelia with no dressage competition experience or discipline. But contrary to some doubts, Ollie has marvelled many and helped Amelia on to the British Dressage Progress Squad last September. Amelia described him as “such a character and always being mischievous”.

Amelia said: “He has exceeded all my expectations in the two-and-a-half years I’ve had him,

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“I never dreamed when we did our first dressage in February 2013 that we would be representing Team GB.

Following the Hickstead event, Amelia and Ollie want to work towards qualifying for the National Dressage Championships in September and Winter Championships in April 2016.

Amelia’s dad Steve Moncrieff said: “It’s rare of someone Amelia’s age to school such a young pony, yet Amelia has gone above and beyond expectations.

“The pair have developed a strong bond and partnership throughout their years together, working hard and dedicating time to achieve Amelia’s dreams.”

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Amelia began riding at the age of three where she was a regular member of the Bramham Moor Pony club.

Since 2010 she has been competing in affiliated dressage supported by BYRDS (British Young Riders Development Scheme) and her skills and determination have continued to grow ever since.

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