Downside School Upper Sixth pupil Jessica van de Steen qualified for the Mitsubishi Motors Grassroots 
Championships at Badminton in 2012.
When the International Horse Trials were abandoned after the adverse weather conditions Jessica kept her place and was able to compete this year instead.
The Grassroots Championships offers 'amateur' riders the chance to qualify throughout the season for Badminton held in early May.
Competing in the setting Badminton offers is very exciting and Jessica had to show her skills in Cross Country, Show Jumping and Dressage.
Jessica was riding her own horse, Hollybrook Super Ted, or Teddy for short and was in Downside colours, her sponsors. Jessica's final position – 23 out of 62.
Jessica had her first pony aged 7 and entered her first event at nine. At fourteen she competed in affiliated British Eventing competitions and just got better and better. Badminton is her first Championships and she hopes to qualify again for next year.
The future? University next but she will continue her training. And beyond? Olympics 2020.
Photographs courtesey of Goldeneye Photography.