The Voltaire Design Under 25 British Championship runs under a new format in 2019, with 24 riders selected to compete in the initial qualifying round on Friday 20 December. The top ten from this qualifier will advance to the final on Sunday 22 December.
The new qualification criteria for the class rewards achievements across the year, ensuring a top-class field. The first ten places go to the members of the Great British Junior European and Young Rider European teams, which includes Jack Whitaker, Britain’s top performer at the Junior Europeans, who is also making his mark on the senior international circuit, and William Fletcher, another rising star of the international ranks having already represented Great Britain at Senior FEI Jumping Nations CupTM level.
William’s brother, 16-year-old Oliver, will also take his place on the starting line-up having been part of the Junior European Team which finished sixth at this year’s Championships, along with Oli Tuff, Sienna Charles and Lily Attwood.
Joe Stockdale will be looking to back-up his victory in the Under 25 class at Royal Windsor Horse Show in May and will be joined by his Young Rider European teammates Graham Babes, Leonie Aitkenhead and Jodie Hall McAteer.
Others to automatically gain a coveted spot in the competition are those who have represented Great Britain at Senior FEI Nations CupTM level in 2019, including James Wilson and Emily Moffitt, who will also be taking part in the 5* competition at the Show, along with Georgia Tame, Emily Ward and wildcard Harry Charles, who was second in last year’s Championship.
James Wilson has broken into the top ranks in 2019, representing Great Britain on several occasions, including in the FEI Nations CupsTM at Hickstead, La Baule and St Gallen, where he was one of only a few combinations to jump double clear. Another increasingly familiar name on the international scene is Emily Moffitt, who was a pivotal part of the team that won the prestigious Longines FEI Jumping Nations CupTM of Ireland in August.
The final places in the competition go to qualifiers from dedicated classes at selected British Showjumping Shows. Qualifying at the Aintree Equestrian Centre Winter Classic was Charlie Jones, Millie Allen, Chloe Reynolds and Joe Trickett, whereas Alanna Clutterbuck, Yazmin Davis, Flo Norris and James Whitaker made it through from the Addington Equestrian Winter Classic.
