A TALENTED young North Dorset horsewoman will be going for gold next weekend when she represents Great Britain at a top dressage competition in Germany (May 1,2).

Louise Crutcher, aged 15, is one of just 13 youngsters from across the UK selected for the championship squad.

And if she does well she could then be picked for the European championships taking place in Poland in July.

Louise's thrilled mum Tracey said: "She's absolutely over the moon and everyone is just so excited for her."

Shaftesbury School student Louise's achievement comes hot on the heels of a string of successes at dressage events across the country.

Last year she won two gold medals competing in Ireland and followed that by becoming the top British pony rider two days running in her international debut at Addington in Buckinghamshire.

Louise rides a liver chestnut German warmblood pony called Daphne II, owned by Buckinghamshire stud boss Sarah Stegall, and she trains several times a day at the Half Moon Stud at Motcombe, not far from her Twyford home.

She has specialist training from German rider Michael Bining and travels regularly to Gloucester to be coached by British Olympic hopeful Carl Hester.

But pursuing her Olympic dream is a costly job for Louise, whose father Paul, 41, is disabled.

Tracey, who also has a ten-year-old son, Alex, who will be cheering on his sister in Germany, said: "Her boots cost £500 and the breeches are around £160. Her specialist training can cost around £300 a time and going to Germany will cost us £1,000."

The family are keen to attract sponsorship and anyone who can help can call Tracey on 07939 455609.

First published: April 26