The 2026 European Youth Driving Squad has been announced!
11 Young Drivers will be heading to Osorhei, Romania to compete at the 2026 Championship of Youth Driving. The Squad is a mixture of children that have driven abroad before and some that are new to this level of competition.
Children’s Category (12-14 years)
Evie Rockall – driving SPIRIT
My name is Evie Rockall, I am 12 years old and based in Cheshire.
My pony is called Spirit but we call her Heidi Pony. She is 7 years old and she is a Welsh x thoroughbred. She loves having sctratches and food but she absolutely hates electric fences. My favourite phases are dressage and marathon.
When I’m not carriage driving, I play netball for our local team. I will be supported by my Dad, David, and Mum, Diane.
Ilaria Taylor – driving NOAH
My name is Ilaria Taylor and I am 13 years old. I live about one to two hours away from my grandfather whose pony I drive. He helps with my coaching and understanding of both competition and managing my pony. Noah is a Gypsy Cob, aged 11 years and needs careful management to get the best from him. He can be strong but I have to have the confidence to let go forward. Grandad, David, will be backstepping for me.
In addition to driving I play Hockey and also enjoy fishing.
Lacey Llewellyn – driving TEMPLEDRUID KARENJY
I’m Lacey Llewellyn and I am 12 years old from Blackwood, South Wales. My pony is called Bess she is 14 years old Welsh section C and we have been driving together for 4 years.
Mine and Bess’s favourite phase of an event is the obstacles or the marathon if it’s an outdoor event. I don’t enjoy the dressage as much as the obstacles, but I am getting the hang of it and so is Bess. We’ve been working hard to get more experienced and we are getting better at each event. My Mum Ashleigh, will be my backstepper for all 3 phases.
Outside of driving my favourite hobby is to ride or go on a walk with my friends.
Jack French – driving HURSDON BARNEY
My name is Jack French. I am 12 years old. I will be drivingHursdon Barney.
Barney is a grey 18yr old DHP born on Dartmoor where we live. He has been in the family since he was 6 months old. My sister and I have both driven Barney for Indoor events. Ourfavourite phase is the marathon. My mum will be backstepping for me.
I enjoy helping on the farm, especially if it involves machinery and I am a budding engineer.
Junior Category (14-18yrs)
Izzy Brunner – driving POLMESK CAESAR
My name is Izzy Brunner (17). I will be driving Ruth and John Martin’s Polmesk Caesar, Brock to his friends. My favourite phase has got to be the marathon as I love the adrenaline rush! But I also love the challenge of the cones and the feeling of progressing in my dressage tests and knowing that the hard work in training is paying off when I leave the arena! I won the dressage phase in the 2024 Europeans in Sweden. Jamie March will be joining us in Romania to backstep
Jamie Hordern – driving ALD FEART’S HOTSE
I am Jamie Hordern and I am 15 years old, from Hungerford in Berkshire.
My pony is Ald Feart’s Hotse aka Hotse. He is a Dutch Welsh Riding Pony who we brought back from Holland on our way home from the Young Driver European Championships in Sweden in 2024. He doesn’t like polos and is very keen on a morning nap in his stable. My mum, Sarah, will be backstepping and my Dad, Chris, will be supporting us. Outside of driving my main hobby is rugby – I play for school and my local club in Hungerford.
Lily French – driving PEGGIES PROMISE
My name is Lily French and I am 15 years old. I live on the edge of Dartmoor National Park.
I will be driving Peggie’s Promise (Jazz) 11yr old skewbald cob x TB mare. I competed Jazz in Sweden at the European Championships 2 yrs ago. Our favourite phase is the marathon. Rhiannon Bowles will be my backstepper. In my spare time I like to spend time with my Labrador dog Oatis and help on the farm at home. Mum says I am very skilled at lambing difficult sheep.
Etienne Kember – driving NIALL
My name is Eti Kember and I am 15 years old and based in Kent.
I have a brilliant support team behind me consisting of Jane Lamb, Donna Simmons and Keith Henderson. I love all animals especially horses and I love being active in many different sports. I am lucky enough to be driving Niall who is a 16.2hh, 19-year-old KWPN. Niall loves people and cuddles and anything food related! But very much dislikes staying clean! Niall and I both favour the marathon phase as it’s quick and exiting. Donna and Keith will share the backstepping.
Nellie Lock – driving D’ACORDO
My name is Nellie Lock, I am 16 years old, and a new driver to the circuit only having started competing carriage driving this indoor season, due to my other commitments in showjumping. I have won two team gold medals at both pony European championships and Nations Cup. I hope to continue my success in showjumping alongside carriage driving. Me, my ponies and horses are based at Ashfields Carriage and Polo Club. I will be driving D’Acordo.
Under 25 Category (18-25yrs)
Sophia Routledge – driving MISTER DREAM VD ACHTERHOEVE
My name is Sophia Routledge; I am 19 years old and based in Kent.
This season, I will be driving Mister Dream, an 18-year-old Belgian Sports Pony. We have developed our dressage through training with a variety of coaches, although marathon has always been our strongest phase. Dream is naturally quick and really comes into his own when the pace increases. We are kindly supported by Balanced Horse Feeds When I’m not driving, I work in hospitality and equine freelancing.
Phoebe Matthews – driving LIBERTY MAI
My name is Phoebe Matthews, I am 18 and come from Cookham in Berkshire.
I will be driving our home bred mare Liberty Mai. Liberty is a 16.3hh KWPN. Clare Campbell will be backstepping in all 3 phases. I am the current Advanced single horse champion. This will be my forth Junior Europeans, having driven single pony and pony pair and I’m looking forward to driving in the U25 Single Horse class
Support Crew
The support crew will consist of;
Chef D’Equipe – Jo Alvis
Jo has been involved in junior driving since 2008 and accompanied her daughter Katy to 3 European Championships in 2014, 2016 and 2018. Jo has been Chef for the last 2 Europeans, in Kisber, Hungary and Flyinge, Sweden. This will be the largest squad that Jo has taken abroad but she is looking forward to working with the rest of the support crew to help these talented youngsters achieve their potential and have a great event. Jo will be ably assisted by Mary Jane Campbell who brings a great deal of experience with her to the crew.
Trainers – Sara Howe and Tara Wilkinson
Tara is a previous BYD member. In 2017 she was Pony Pair World Champion, and finished 4th at the World Championships for horse pair in 2025 and helped GBR take home team Silver. Tara is now based in Belgium coaching drivers and horses full time. A valuable member of the squad with a wealth of experience with ponys horses and juniors!
Sara needs very little introduction, as she says, she’s been around along time. A very experienced pony driver competing single pair and team to top international level. Sara has been involved with coaching young drivers for ever (her words) and sees her chance to take the squad abroad again as a real privilege.
On behalf of us all at British Carriagedriving, we would like to wish our squad the very best of luck in Romania – you have all worked so hard and we cannot wait to watch you all represent GBR on the World Stage!
