AMANDA Hamley, of Wheddon Cross, has been selected to represent England at the prestigious Home Internationals endurance riding championships, in Scotland early next month. Amanda will be riding her 16-year-old Standardbred mare, Lady.

This will be Amanda's third time representing England and her second championship with Lady, a horse she has owned for ten years and who first introduced her to the sport. The pair are hoping to help Team England secure a third consecutive victory at the event.

Endurance is an equestrian sport that tests the fitness and stamina of both horse and rider. Competitors follow a marked route, which can cover distances of up to 160km in a single day. Horse welfare is paramount, with strict veterinary checks before, during, and after the ride to ensure the horses are fit and comfortable to continue. .

Regarding her selection, Amanda said: "I feel extremely privileged to have been selected to represent England at the Home Internationals for a third year. It's so exciting to be able to head back up to Scotland after taking part in the Cairngorms 50-miler last year together. We are hoping to help make it a hat trick and bring home another win for Team England!"

Amanda and Lady train on the challenging hills of Exmoor, which have been instrumental in developing their partnership. Lady, a former trotter, initially found cantering difficult, but Amanda credits the local terrain with helping her mare build strength and confidence. "She's my partner in crime," says Amanda. "A really lovely horse, and after all the miles we've covered together, we know each other inside out."

Success in endurance is always a team effort. Amanda relies on a dedicated support network including Western Counties Equine Hospital, chiropractor Nikki Routledge, farrier James Hazell, and trainer Maggie Pattinson. For the Home Internationals, her crew will be led by the highly experienced Nic Kemp.