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'Proud and petrified to play Team GB horseball'

Susie Rack
BBC News, West Midlands
Danielle Pratt A young woman on a black horse holding a yellow ball wrapped in a metal casing with handles. She is wearing black clothing, a white helmet, and has long blonde hair. She is gazing to the right and in the background are trees and a brown fence.Danielle Pratt
Faith describes the sport as a horseback version of quidditch, or a cross between rugby and basketball

A teenager says she feels "petrified" but "proud" to have been picked to represent her country at the horseball European Championships.

Faith Pratt, from Wolverhampton, will represent Team GB U16s at the tournament in Le Mans, France, later this month.

The 16-year-old fell in love with the fast-paced sport, which she describes as like "quidditch on horses", two years ago after trying it out at a local event.

She is currently nursing a broken finger but said she hoped to "stay on" and achieve some goals, adding: "We can do it."

Horseball is played by nine UK clubs as well as a few universities, according to the British Horseball Association.

Faith explained it was a contact sport for people but not horses, and a cross between rugby and basketball on horseback.

"You can pretty much dive onto their horses and grab them from behind," she said.

"We have to get three passes in and pretty much hang on for dear life and throw a ball at a net."

The teenager has been riding since she was four, but is still daunted to compete in the squad of eight in France.

"I'm actually petrified," she added. "It's always petrifying getting ready."

She travels to France with her family on 27 July, where she will spend a day training with a hired pony before facing Portugal and Italy in qualifying rounds.

Her mum, Danielle, described her selection as a "massive opportunity" and added. "She was, I think, in shock more than anything."

She explained the sport was more widely played in Europe. "France are very good," she added. "It is more demanding over there."

The family has raised about £1,200 towards a £2,000 target to cover travel, accommodation and kit costs.

"You've got no idea how much it's going to cost until you're selected," Danielle said, "It was a bit of a shock.

"It was just a case of trying to raise as much money as we could to see if we could help get her there."

Danielle Pratt A young woman hanging from a horse's back to the floor to pick up a ball. She has a long blonde plait and is wearing black jodhpurs, a black T-shirt with white sleeves and a black helmet. The horse is chestnut with white socks and is cantering around a sandy ring.Danielle Pratt
Faith started playing horseball about two years ago

Faith is a member of the HQ Equine team at Upper Hattons Riding School in Wolverhampton as well as Wolves Horseball U16 team.

HQ Equine posted on Facebook that the team was very proud of the teenager. "[We] can't wait to support you on this epic opportunity to represent GB."

The tournament runs from 29 July to 3 August.

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