A TARPORLEY teenager has answered a call from Great Britain to compete at the European Pony Championships.

Helen Dunning, 15, will travel to Avenches in Switzerland after being selected by British Eventing.

It will be the first time Helen and her pony, Glenayre Bay Surf, have competed outside the British Isles.

Helen and Glenayre Bay, known at home as Willie, earned her spot in the team at a series of trials held throughout the year.

The trials are a combination of one-day eventing – dressage, showjumping and cross-country – and three-day eventing, which also includes roads and tracks and an extended cross-country ride.

Helen saw off competition from 150 riders to secure one of the five GB places for the Euros. Mum Janet was thrilled.

“It is a sport which is expensive and takes up a lot of free time,” she said. “We have a friend with a farm who allows us to keep Willie there and we have had sponsorship from companies like Beeston Animal Health for the horse forage and feed and Sportsaid, the lottery grant provider.”

This year Helen has really come through. A rider since the age of two, she started in pony trials aged 12 and last year the Grange School pupil was selected to receive training from British Eventing coach Yogi Breisner and dressage expert Nick Burton.

That training has helped the Crewe and District Pony Club member step up this year and catch the eye of selectors in the Charles Owen British Pony Championships at Chepstow.

The Euros begin on July 24 and this weekend Willie will join the other ponies in the team to be transported by road to Switzerland. The British team will follow a day later.

“Usually we transport the pony and look after it so, even though he will be getting the best care possible, it is quite stressful,” said Janet.

“It is unusual for Helen. She has two ponies and two horses and is used to seeing them before school every day. Plus preparing to compete in Switzerland is all new for her.

“But she has worked hard for this and wants to do well. Ultimately she would like to compete at the Olympics, although 2012 may be too soon.”