South Molton rider selected for England in home internationals

Equestrian star Philippa Verry from South Molton has been selected to represent England at the Home International Endurance Championships. The event will take place on August 10 and 11 in Kilkenny, Ireland.

The Home International Endurance Championship is a highly anticipated annual competition that brings together teams from England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland to showcase their equestrian prowess.

Philippa Verry has ridden at Olympia, hunted throughout her life with various packs, won a dressage scholarship at Windsor Park Equestrian Club and trained with John Lassetter, and then – in her late 50s – took up endurance riding.

Having ridden in endurance competitions for two years at novice level, it was after Philipppa’s first major win that she realised that endurance would become her new passion.

She said: “I found it the friendliest sport I’ve ever been involved in, made lovely friends along the way, and I absolutely love it. That wonderful bond that you build with your horse after spending so many hours in the saddle together over every sort of terrain imaginable.

“Totally trusting and respecting each other’s strengths and weaknesses. It is a wonderful sport, it’s not ‘win at all costs’, horse welfare is paramount and everyone helps each other, even though it’s competitive. I’ve never known anything like it.”

Philippa has successfully completed nearly 1,700km in endurance, with 1,400km being with Charterlands Stilton – the horse she’s riding in Ireland. The 16-year-old Irish Sports Horse has been successful with Philippa up to 80km in a day several times, including achieving a GOLD at the toughest course in the UK, the Golden Horseshoe, as well as winning the two-day 100km at Red Dragon, Wales in 2023. She is now riding at advanced level.

Bella Fricker, the Chef d’Equipe of the England squad, expressed her confidence in the selected team, praising their exceptional talent. “We are delighted with our final team. With such a huge pool of talent to choose from, the selection wasn’t easy. We have every confidence in the squad’s ability to tackle the Irish terrain, particularly with such established combinations to represent us.”

The Endurance GB International Committee extends its best wishes to the entire England Squad as they embark on this thrilling journey to the Home International Championships.