WILTSHIRE teenager Abbie Newbury admits she was relieved when she found herself on the British Dressage NAF Young Rider & Junior Long Lists for the European Championships in the Netherlands later this summer.

Newbury, who is based in Brinkworth, found out she had been included via email and said: “It was a really nice surprise but it was also what we were working towards so it was also a bit of a relief.

“It is really rewarding that the work we are putting in is beginning to pay off. They’ll do the short list in a few weeks time so this is a really good start.

“Obviously, now I’ll be working towards being on the shortlist and then hopefully being on the team.

“I’m fairly confident but you never know, it all just depends on results. We travel to Holland at the end of the month, so quite a lot will depend on that.”

With the pressure on for Newbury’s trip to Roosendaal on Tuesday for five days, the teenager believes she has what it takes to perform in that environment.

After making a good start to her international career earlier in the year, Newbury thinks she is in a much better place to perform well in Holland.

“I like it. I tend to thrive under pressure a little bit which is obviously a good thing. It is nerve-wracking but I will try and use it in a positive way,” she added. “I know I just have to work hard until then and then hopefully it will all come together when I want it to.

“I had a really positive time in France. The team came second in the Nations Cup, I was best of British so that was really positive.’’ The 17-year-old will be riding eight-year-old Disneyland, a horse she has trained herself.

“It is a really big confidence boost to be selected on a horse I have trained,” added Newbury.

“I’ve been riding ever since I could sit up really. I started with showing and then I moved to dressage until about I was about 10.

“Competing for the country has always been a dream and I’ve been able to do that.”

The Europeans are in Roosendaal from August 9-13.