A TEENAGE showjumper from Malmesbury has taken first place in a competition held at the home of British showjumping.

Emily Irvine, 15, won The Oakley Coachbuilders BS Winter Grade JC Championship at The Agria Royal International Horse Show at The All England Jumping Course, Hickstead in West Sussex in July.

With her pony, Runard Lass, she was the only person in the competition to jump double clear - meaning she jumped a clean round with no penalties in both rounds of the contest.

“I was overwhelmed at winning the national title,” Emily said.

“Just riding my dream pony in the ring was the best feeling, but getting a prize is the icing on the cake.

“I am so grateful to my family for helping make this happen too.”

“We’ve had such an amazing year,” proud mum Alison Irvine said.

“Just being competitive in prestigious classes is winning for us.

“Emily’s nan was in the audience for the competition as well, and it was so wonderful that she could watch Emily there.”

Emily comes from a farming background and has been competing in showjumping since she was six.

Hickstead is known for being the home of British showjumping, and The Agria Royal International Horse Show is held at the course.

Star pony Runard Lass, whose stable name is Dolly, is a 15-year-old appaloosa mare who Emily and her family bought from Spain during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Her record wasn’t great, and her way of going wasn’t conventional, but her heart and will to jump big jumps was there to see,” Alison said.

“We took a gamble, and it has certainly paid off.

“Emily has produced Dolly up through the ranks.”

Alison was quick to praise farmers’ daughter Emily’s work ethic and sacrifices made.

The 15-year-old’s devotion to the sport is so great, she has had to miss parties and sleepovers for as long as she has been competing.

“We’ve got a little homemade arena, and every day after she finishes school, she’s out there in the mud and the wet and the wind,” she said.

“It’s the grit and determination that have reaped dividends for my daughter.

“I really admire her.”

Emily has qualified for the 75th edition of the Horse of the Year Show, which will take place at NEC Birmingham in October.

If you are interested in sponsoring her in her showjumping endeavours (hospitality or otherwise), email alisonirvine1@outlook.com