Two young Marlborough dressage riders have been rewarded for their outstanding seasons with selection in the Dressage New Zealand Young Rider Talent ID (TID) squad.

Dressage NZ announced its five 2011 performance squads late last month, with Nicola French and Melissa Parkes both earning a spot in the 12-person TID squad.

Level-three rider French's selection comes on the back of a stellar season with German gelding Don Freese, while level-four competitor Parkes bagged her spot in the squad after some strong results on her mount Don's Party.

2011 is the first year Dressage NZ has run the Young Rider TID squad as part of its high-performance programme.

French, 17, was "pretty excited" to be a part of the squad and was looking forward to its first training camp in October, when they would get an opportunity to get expert advice and work on specific areas of their development as dressage riders.

French said a good season, especially at the major events, was most likely the major reason for her selection. As well as winning a number of local events, French and Don Freese, who she has had since 2009, were the champion level-three combination at this year's New Zealand Horse of the Year in March and South Island championships and picked up the reserve champion's sash at the nationals.

Parkes was equally delighted to make the cut.

After being a part of a beginners' national squad she had to apply for a couple of years ago, she said it was nice to be selected purely on merit this time.

Parkes, 18, has been competing on Don's Party for 2 1/2 years, and in the last 12 months, the pair have won the level-four South Island title and finished third at the Horse of the Year competition.

- The Marlborough Express

Sourced from: http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/sport/5290132/Riders-make-select-squad