A number of World Class Development riders were in action at the Junior and European viewing trials that took place at the Wales & West Show, 30 April 30 to 4 May 2009. A handful of riders were selected to go forward for the chance to be part of the teams that will be chosen to represent Britain at the Junior and Young Rider European Championships in the Netherlands in July.

World Class Development showed their support for the viewing trials by funding training vouchers totalling over £3000, which were presented to the first six prize-winners in both the Junior and Young Rider European trial Grand Prix classes.

Tina Goosen, show jumping co-ordinator, said: "World Class Development are delighted to support the Junior and Young Rider European viewing trials, actively encouraging these young riders to recognise the importance of correct training, which could make the all important difference when jumping under pressure at a Championship."

Two World Class Development riders are now successfully representing Britain at senior International level; Gemma Paternoster, who last weekend was one of the four riders to represent Great Britain in Belgium in the first Nations Cup of the 2009 season, and Charlotte Platt, who has been selected to represent Britain in the Nations Cup show that takes place at La Baule later this month.

The World Class Development Programme is Lottery funded via UK Sport and seeks to identify and develop riders who have shown the potential to reach the world stage.

The programme underpins World Class Performance and, together with the Equine Pathway, they comprise the Equestrian World Class Programme. It incorporates the Olympic sports of dressage, eventing, show jumping and para-olympic dressage.

The Development riders selected for the Junior and Young Rider European show jumping squads are:

Juniors
Jessie Drea (17), Horsham, West Sussex.
Henry Lacey (17), Warwick, Warwickshire.

Young Riders
Joe Clayton (19), Huddersfield, West Yorkshire
Danielle Farnsworth (18), Nottingham
Samuel Hutton (21), Southampton, Hampshire
Daniel Neilson (19), Brentwood, Essex
Tim Page (21), Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
Matt Sampson (18), Sheffield, South Yorkshire