A DALE horse rider is to represent England at a national schools championship this weekend.
Charlotte Merrigan Martin has enjoyed a successful year with her horse Volatis Diva, starting with a victory in a
National School Equine Association (NESA) area competition, at Northallerton, in January, which allowed her to compete in the county championship.
Riding for Barnard Castle School, Ms Merrigan Martin, 19, then won the individual championship while her team rode to second place.
Her mum, Clare, said: “Because Charlotte won as an individual, this put her up for selection to ride for England in the Nations Cup Dressage Team in the National Championships and we were extremely excited to find out last week that she had been selected.
“She will also be competing as an individual rider for Barnard Castle School with both of her horses, Diva and Solaris Dwenqua.
“She is delighted and feels very honoured to be selected for the England team and to be representing her school.”
She will be accompanied at the championships by school friend and dressage team mate, Jess Dixon, who will groom for Charlotte.
The championships take place on Saturday, October 19, at Addington Manor.
Earlier this month Charlotte and Volatis Diva earned a tenth place at the Horse of the Year show at the NEC, Birmingham.
This year the Barnard Castle School pupil is taking a chemistry A-Level, after succeeding in her biology and maths A-Levels exams in the summer.
