A COUPLE from Littleton-upon-Severn are celebrating after finding out that two of their horses are shortlisted for the British team at the upcoming Junior European Dressage Championships, which are being held in Broholm, Denmark from 20-24 July. Spring Pascal and Highcliffe Apollo were both bred by Roslyn and Dennis Palmer of Northcliff Equine stud farm and are now owned and ridden by Samantha Thurman-Baker. Roslyn said: “Most of the horses on the British teams are foreign bred, so as a small British breeder, to have two horses shortlisted is amazing. “We are really proud of the horses we breed so it’s great to see them getting recognition.”

Spring Pascal has also made his debut at Grand Prix level this year, the ultimate level of training for a dressage horse, which few attain even after years of training. His scores and favourable comments from the judges have launched him into the sports’ elite and put him in contention for a place on the team for the London Olympic Games in 2012.

This is the culmination of a great 12 months for the stud after their move to the area. In that time, they have had three homebred horses competing at the National Dressage Championships, and the best British performance at the 2010 Young Rider European Championships.

Northcliff A Jungle Rock was also ranked in the top three dressage broodmares in the country.