Shropshire teenager Evie Paterson caught the eye of the British junior team selectors with a good performance at the Lincoln one-day event.

The 17-year-old from Dudleston Heath, near Ellesmere, was in action in the Open Intermediate Under 21 section.

Only European junior gold medalist Laura Collett with her two rides could get the better of Evie, leaving her in a highly creditable third place on the nine-year-old Thoroughbred Direct Opposition.

The talented young rider – a student at Cheltenham Ladies College – knew the Under 21 sections are closely watched by GB selectors.

They are looking to put together a long list for the Junior and Young Rider European three-day event championships, which will be staged this summer.

“Evie was very pleased with Direct Opposition, particularly as it was only the second time he’d completed an event at this level,” said her mother Rose.

Evie, in action at this weekend’s Weston Park one-day event, also won a Novice section at Lincoln on the seven-year-old Irish bred bay Direct Supreme, who was third on his season opener at the Oasby one-day a week earlier.

“She’s had this horse from a five-year-old and has brought him up from pre novice level,” Mrs Paterson continued.

“He’s been competing in British Dressage competitions over the winter, where he was unbeaten, and that practise has paid off.

“He had a good score of 27 at Lincoln and was second at that stage.”

The 16.1hh gelding then jumped a double clear, adding just 1.2 cross-country time penalties to his score, to win by close on five marks.

By KATE HEALEY