Coddington equestrian selected for British Showjumping’s Veteran European Championship squad

An equestrian is set to represent Great Britain at the FEI Jumping Veteran European Championships.

Tina Canton, of Coddington, and her 12-year-old gelding Bannagh Romeo — known as George — have been selected for British Showjumping’s veteran squad at the championships.

The competition this year takes place in San Giovanni, Marignano, Italy, with the veterans in action between July 11 and 14.

Canton said: “There’s five of us going, and we’re hoping to bring some medals home.

“It’s very exciting.”

She began her four-day drive to Italy on Thursday (July 4), and once at the championships the squad will jump a speed class on Thursday, July 11, and a team competition on Friday, July 12, before the top 25 then progress on to individual competitions on Sunday, July 14.

For Canton, her squad selection is a full circle moment.

She added: “I was longlisted for the young riders eventing team 30 years ago, and then I had a really bad accident so couldn’t do it.

“So it’s quite funny really that now 30 years later I’m wearing the flag for a different discipline — because now I’m showjumping more.”

Her equine partner, George, has been with Canton since she bought him as an unbroken three-year-old in Ireland.

“I’ve produced him, and he has evented but now he just pure showjumps,” Canton added.

While British Showjumping cover the squad’s entry, kit and stabling, the riders have to fund transport to the championships themselves — so a GoFundMe page has been set up to assist with the costs.

“It’s the first time I’m actually taking one of my own abroad, because really the cost has been so prohibitive — but being asked to wear the flag, I’m not going to say no to that,” Canton said.

“Even a small amount makes a huge difference, the lorry is very thirsty. I’d be so appreciative.”

While it will be her first time bringing her own horse to a competition internationally, Canton is no stranger to the major events as her work as a coach has taken her across the world — including to last year’s Asian Games in China.

She also runs Tinderbox Sport Horses, based near Newark, and is an equine lecturer at Nottingham Trent University.