EQUESTRIAN: County trio's European selection (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

EQUESTRIAN: County trio's European selection

9:00am Friday 27th July 2012 in Equestrian

THREE Wiltshire riders have been selected to represent Britain as part of the Young Rider Eventing Team at the annual FEI European Championships in Malmo next month.

Reybridge’s David Doel, Hodson’s Tom McEwen and Chippenham’s Isobel Djivanovic were chosen following a final trial at Aston Le Walls and will help their country defend the team gold they have held for seven consecutive years.

“To be selected is a huge relief given the amount of effort we put in,” said 19-year-old Doel, who will be competing in his first European Championship.

“This is what I gave up school after my GCSE’s to do. We’ve got a great team of horses and people and we will certainly have a good crack at defending the gold.’’

McEwen, 21, will make his third visit to the European Championships for riders aged 19-21.

“I have been part of the team for the last two years so to be asked back again is an absolute honour,’’ he said.

“Every year Britain puts out a very strong team and I would like to think we can retain the gold again.”

The event in Sweden will be Djivanovic’s European debut following her recent success at in the Young Rider CCI2 at Tattersalls.

“To be selected is really exciting,” said Djivanovic, 21, who is based with international eventer Chris King’s team at Tytherton Lucas and will ride eight-year-old Billy Buzz.

“I’ve never ridden for my country before so this will definitely be my biggest occasion.”

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