WORCESTERSHIRE dressage rider Kate Atlee is set to retain her place in the British team at this year's Young Riders European Dressage Championships, where last year she won a team bronze medal.

Kate, from Tenbury Wells, was in good form at a recent selection trials, staged at West Wilts Equestrian Centre near Bath.

Riding her stalwart partner Westwell Gem, Atlee finished third in both Under 21 tests on offer.

The pair won a bronze medal at last year's Europeans -- the first time a British team had gained a podium place in 14 years -- although she admits Westwell Gem is now "in his twilight years" the horse is still performing well.

Atlee further proved her form at the National Winter Dressage Championships, staged at Solihull Arena for the first time, which attracted many of the country's leading riders. She won the Equest Young Rider test on overstones Isadora, scoring an impressive 75%.

Atlee has been riding "Issy" -- as Overstones Isadora is known at home -- for owners Mr and Mrs John Shenfield for two years.

Atlee had been studying for a degree in fashion design at university, but getting time off to compete proved to difficult, and she has been forced to give the course up.