In mid-May, Mattie Lanni (L) competed and finished in second place at her first U14 International Grand Prix event at Sentower Park, Opglabbeek, Belgium.
Mattie and Newbridge's Master Brown (‘Boston’ to his friends) jumped a clear in the first class and followed this with a clear with one time penalty to finish 4th in the second class. With confidence high, they jumped a clear in the final Grand Prix, all the more impressive given there were only nine clears among 59 of Europe's best competitors. Going third in the jump off, Mattie rode a balanced and efficient round against the clock to take the lead with yet another clear. All the riders who followed each had one fence down, except Dutch rider Pam Nieuwenhuis who bettered Mattie's performance.
Mattie only started riding Boston in January this year. Quickly forming a good partnership during February and March, they managed to show jump to the required standard to enter the official British team trials for U14s (known as Children on Horses).
Great Britain takes part in just two International Nations Cups each year before selecting the final five riders to take part in the European Championships. Mattie has now been selected to join the Nations Cup Team at Wierden, Holland during the second week in June.