International dressage rider Hannah Biggs is to join an Olympic torch parade through Shaftesbury this week.

Star of the future

Hannah has been invited to join several Olympians in a past and future champions parade to accompany the Olympic flame on its journey through Dorset. Other torchbearers joining Hannah in Shaftesbury include Anthony Nunn, who played hockey in the 1952 games, and an English runner who carried the torch from Gillingham to Shaftesbury back in 1978.

The 32-year-old has the distinct advantage of four legs for the journey, as she will be riding The Southern Cross Stud’s Ice Age. The 13-year-old schoolmaster is currently in training with Grand Prix rider Anna Ross Davies.

As part of the World Class Performance Programme, Hannah has been identified as a dressage rider with real potential and one that could help Great Britain win medals in the future. She has already represented Britain on the Junior and Young Rider teams at European Championships and has ridden in many international CDI (Concours Dressage International) competitions all around the world.

A great honour

Hannah is currently trained by Olympian and European Gold medal winner, Emile Faurie.

“This really is a great honour, after all this time the Olympics are finally here and everyone is getting into the Olympic spirit, it’s very exciting to be carrying an Olympic torch even more so on horseback,” Hannah said.

“All I have to do is deliver it in one piece to the Mayor and stay on! With such phenomenal success over the past 18 months the British dressage Team have certainly put dressage on the map. All the team GB riders have been a total inspiration so fingers crossed they will bring the gold home”

The torchbearers will follow a route through Shaftesbury, finishing at the town hall where they will be met by the Mayor and local MPs.