Newcastle rider celebrates international success

Newcastle University student Rosa Onslow took 3rd place in the CCI4* Nations Cup Class at Houghton International Horse Trials.

The politics undergraduate competed against some of the world’s top riders, including Olympic athletes.

The 21-year-old said: “This was one of the final trials for GB Young Riders U21 European Squad. I agreed with the GB selectors that I could enter both horses in the CCI-S4* Nations Cup Class. This was the top and the most competitive class rather than the U21 class. Newcastle University were extremely supportive as it was during my 3rd semester exam period.

"I finished one exam and drove to Norfolk that evening to compete, starting the next morning. I returned on Sunday night for an exam on Monday at 9am.

“There were over 120 entries with teams from all over the world. Diamond Sundance came a respectable 42nd and RLE Limbo Kaiser had a podium place, finishing 3rd. I couldn’t believe I was standing next to Olympic rider Piggy French and world number 4 (who came 4th). I was the highest placed GB rider!”

The Nations Cup success cemented Rosa as one of the top riders in the UK. It led to her selection as part of the GB Young Riders U21 European Squad. She will compete at the European Championships in Maarsbergen, Holland, against the best of Europe.

Rosa said: “I had hoped I would be picked with one of my horses, but both were selected, which is rare. Diamond Sundance went, but RLE Limbo Kaiser was my first reserve. So that horse would have gone had I had a problem with the other horse.” At the Young Rider European Championships, Rosa ended up 12th out of 66 competitors. She went clear in the cross country and show jumping phases. She came fourth out of the six GB riders in the squad.

“As if this were not enough, I then received a telephone call two days after I got home. I had been selected for the GB Senior Nations Cup team at Camphire International on RLE Limbo Kaiser in the CCI-S4*. This was my first Senior GB team call up. So it has been a huge honour to represent Team GB during 2019 at both Senior and U21 level.

“I could not have achieved this without Newcastle University’s support and funding. It has been crucial to my success and I recognise how lucky I am.”