WITH three European gold medals on her mantelpiece Phoebe Peters may have been entitled to some well-earned time off, but the Moreton-in-Marsh rider insists it is straight back to business as she prepares for a challenging 2016: writes Jack Miller.

The 16-year-old Chipping Campden School pupil dominated August’s European Pony Championships in Sweden, ending her career on the 13-year old ‘SL Lucci’ ranked number one in the world and holding three world-records.

But moving away from ponies and into the junior age category, the competition will be harder next season and Peters is already hard at work, and is adamant she can hit similar heights next year, with the Junior European Dressage Championships already on her radar.

“I’m on the highest GB squad for 16 to 18-year-olds”, said Peters. “It’s my first year in the age group so it’s a great achievement, and I’m trying to find my feet at that level over the winter.

“We start the new season in the New Year, and getting on the team for the European Championships is a big aim for me.

“But if I don’t achieve that it’s not the end of the world. I really want to progress through the levels and improve as a rider.

“It’s been an amazing season. Winning three gold medals at the European Championships was incredible, and finishing on ponies ranked as world number one and holding all three world records was a special feeling.

“I like the challenge of moving on to the next level. It should be an interesting year.”

Peters was speaking at the Land Rover BAR headquarters in Portsmouth, where Sir Ben Ainslie and his all-British team are bidding to bring the America’s Cup back to our waters for the first time since 1851.

As part of the Jaguar Land Rover Academy of Sport programme, some of Britain’s most promising young athletes were invited down to enjoy a tour of the impressive new facility, and take on some pearls of wisdom from the BAR team and fitness experts.

And Peters admits the opportunity to learn from Britain’s most talented sailors opened her eyes to the hard work required to cut the mustard at the elite level.

She added: “It’s very difference to dressage, but it’s an amazing set-up here and seeing how athletes in other sports train so hard to be the best, motivates me to want to do as well in my sport.

“We are all representing the same country and we’re on the same team, so it’s very inspiring to be amongst such talented company and seeing these athletes in action.”

Phoebe Peters attended the Jaguar Land Rover Academy of Sport workshop, mentored by Land Rover Ambassador David Flatman and Sportsaid Patron Bryan Steel. For more information visit sportsaid.org.uk.