CLEVELAND showjumping sisters Pippa and Millie Allen have both been selected for the 2014-2016 UK Sport National Lottery World Class Development Programme.

Millie makes the move on to the programme for the first time, having previously been a member of the BEF Excel Talent Programme, while sister Pippa is re-selected having been on the Development Programme since 2012. Both sisters are based at Stainsby Grange Equestrian Centre in Thornaby.

Pippa said: “It’s great being on World Class, you have access to everything and are able to use everyone’s knowledge. I really like the training at the squad sessions, learning alongside everyone else, and it will be nice learning with Millie this year.”

Back in training after recovering from a broken shoulder, Pippa attended The British Stallion Event at Hartpury College, Gloucestershire, last weekend (2-4 January) with stallion Balou Star. With sixty-eight stallions in attendance they set the atmosphere alight, showcasing the athleticism of the horse over the short course; the pair now look set to head for a stallion show at the Böckmann Stud in Germany, where Balou Star was previously based.

The talented siblings will get their 2015 showjumping competition season under way this weekend as they head to Bury Farm Premier Show. Setting their sights on Arena UK and Aintree in the weeks to come, they hope to head out to compete the European circuit in March.

The World Class Development Programme underpins World Class Performance and, together with the Equine Pathway, they comprise the Equestrian World Class Programme, incorporating the three Olympic sports of dressage, eventing, showjumping and the Paralympic sport of para-equestrian dressage. The programme has been funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, through Exchequer and National Lottery funds, via UK Sport since 1998.