Kate Atkinson showed she has the endurance to succeed after she was selected to represent Great Britain at the 2013 FEI World Young Rider Endurance Championships in Tarbes, France at the weekend.

The 15-year-old from Burnley will tackle the tough 125km course in the foothills of the Pyrenees riding her own and her mother Rachael Atkinson’s horse, Oakthwaite Samara.

The five strong British team for the Championships was chosen after a hotly contested team selection trial held on the 16th June at the Endurance GB Wimpole Way ride in Cambridgeshire.

Kate was a member of the bronze medal winning British team at the 2012 European Young Rider Championships.

“It’s a great opportunity to represent the country and it will be something to always treasure,” she said.

“I was originally going to ride my horse, Vanash, who I rode at the European Championships last year, but sadly he was injured in the field.

“My mum very kindly offered me Oakthwaite Samara to ride instead”.

Kate rode Oakthwaite Samara to second place in the 120km FEI2* endurance ride at Kings Forest in 2012.

She has been riding most of her life and followed in her mother’s footsteps when she took up endurance riding.

The Clitheroe Royal Grammar school pupil is hoping to have a career as a vet. The 2013 FEI World Endurance Championships for Young Riders and Juniors will be held at Tarbes on Saturday and Sunday.