HULLAVINGTON rider Alicia Hawker has her sights set on representing Great Britain at this year’s FEI European Eventing Championships for Young Riders & Juniors.

Hawker, 18, is currently taking a gap year from her studies after completing her A-levels at Malmesbury School to concentrate on her eventing career.

She was first reserve in British Eventing’s squad for last year’s Junior European Championships in Strzegom, Poland, and was also on the longlist for the 2011 tournament in Portugal.

Hawker has been training with the Junior ‘A’ squad this week and is also a member of British Eventing’s Excel Talent Programme.

And she has her sights set on competing for her country as a Young Rider at the 2013 Championships in Haras de Jardy, France, in September.

“I’ve done a lot of training with different squads in the past and I’ve been on the reserve list for the juniors a few times but I’d really like to push on and make it to the championships this year,” said Hawker.

“I’m on my gap year and I’m doing things full-time at the moment, which has been great, so hopefully I can make it happen.”

The Hullavington rider warmed up for the new season by winning the latest round of the Jumping and Style Indoor Eventing Series at the Hand Stadium in Clevedon, North Somerset, last weekend.

Hawker triumphed on her top ride Nankins Des Ruettes, finishing with just 12 penalties.

She said: “It’s a good pre-season competition and he had some really great rounds.

“He’s a lovely horse – he’s a great showjumper and he jumped double-clear in his first-ever two-star competition (in June last year).”