British under-21 medal winner to change nationality: ‘I’m excited for the opportunity’

Georgie Goss (née Spence) will make a nationality change to ride for Ireland when she returns to competing this summer after the birth of her first child.

She said: “I’m excited to announce the change to Irish nationality from the 2023 season. I have dual citizenship due to my paternal grandfather and it is something we have been discussing for a few years.

“Announcing it on St Patrick’s Day felt right and I’m very much looking forward to riding alongside an Irish team whose strength and depth are improving all the time. I hope that I can add to their strength over the coming years, with some exciting horses for the 2023 season and beyond.

“Together with my owners, who’ve been very supportive of the move, I’m excited for the opportunity to work with the Irish federation and work with them towards Nations Cup and championship teams.”

The 34-year-old rider married Toby Goss on 23 July in their local church in Wiltshire last year and her baby is due in just a few weeks time.

Georgie Goss makes this nationality change following a successful career in the British system.

She won junior team silver in 2006 at Necarne, Ireland, on Song For Gull and young rider team gold in 2007 at Blair Castle in Scotland (Cottage Craft Spirals) and 2008 at Kreuth, Germany (Skylight).

She has been placed at five-star level, won at four-star, ridden on British Nations Cup teams and finished fourth at the Olympic test event in Tokyo in 2019 on Halltown Harley.

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Pippa Roome

H&H magazine editor and eventing editor

Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.