SEVEN HAVE THEIR SIGHTS ON UNDER 25 PRIZE
At just 19 years of age, Emily Llewellyn is
the youngest rider competing at The Mitsubishi Motors Badminton
Horse Trials this year.
Emily, who is based in East Sussex, was Young
Rider double gold medallist in 2008 riding Pardon Me II, but brings
her mother Cindy Llewellyn’s Society Spice to her first
Badminton. Having bought the 14-year-old Selle Francais
gelding by Jasmin in 2006, the pair won Junior team silver in the
same year. “It’s just amazing to be here,” said Emily who
juggles competing at the top of the sport with her studies at
Sussex University. “Society Spice is feeling great so I’m now
really looking forward to getting started.
Georgie Spence, 20, last year’s youngest
starter and winner of the prize for the best British rider under
25, comes to Badminton with two horses this year.
“It’s definitely not quite as stressful as
last year, I don’t normally get too nervous but at Badminton last
year I was slightly on edge,” said Georgie who is based locally in
Wiltshire.
Georgie has taken up the reins on Birthday
Night (no. 3) the former ride of Harry Meade, a horse she has been
riding since December although Georgie’s winter preparations were
slightly hampered by a broken wrist. She also brings Running
Brook II, a 13-year-old Thoroughbred by Meadowbrook, with whom she
will be hoping to improve on their 30th placing last
year. However, as the winner of this prize last year she is
not eligible to win it again this year.
In total there are seven riders vying for the
under 25 prize – a saddle presented by the Worshipful Company of
Saddlers to the best British rider, not entitled to wear the adult
Union Jack Badge, and who has not previously won the saddle.
Charlotte Castle, The Cointreau Challenge (no.
71), Ginny Howe, Cavort (no. 35),
Emily Llewellyn, Society Spice (no. 89), Aaron
Millar, Stormstay (no. 62), Matthew Prior, Political Trump (no.
37), Laura Shears, Wulstan Rock On (no. 41), Angus Smales, Saxon
Cross (no. 75).