Eventer Upton gets underway in the European Championships

The 18-year-old, from Coolham, is in the Great Britain junior line-up for the event at Bishop Burton College in East Yorkshire.

All horses successfully passed the first horse inspection on Wednesday before the Championships were officially opened in a ceremony that evening. During the ceremony, which included displays from the Side Saddle Association and the Devils Horsemen, all nations and riders were formally introduced to the crowd and presented with stable plaques.

Team members were also declared on Wednesday with the British quartet being named as Katie Bleloch on Bulano, Sam Ecroyd on Wodan III, Emily King, the individual silver medallist in 2012, on Brookleigh, and Anna Wilks on Touch of Pleasure.

Upton, who told the County Times she is hoping to bring back medals from the event, and her horse Carraig Dubh, will be competing in the indivdual event with the rest of the 12-man squad.

Defending champions Ireland have named Cathal Daniels, a member of their 2013 gold medal-winning team, alongside Susannah Berry, Nessa Briody and Lucy Latta.

France and Switzerland, the silver and bronze medal winners last year, have also named strong teams.

The competition, which is for riders aged 14-18, takes place over four days and starts on Thursday with the dressage phase. Dressage continues on Friday with cross-country on Saturday and the final show jumping phase on Sunday.

For live results, visit http://www.europeanjunioreventing.org/results/dressage-results/