A 12-YEAR-OLD boy has won a major horse jumping competition.

Harry Wood, from Bishopton, near Stockton, won the H&M Mini Stakes at The London International Horse Show.

Riding his pony, Birchall Harmony, the Haleworth Secondary student set an early unassailable target courtesy of a well-calculated turn.

“I got a nice clean shot across after turning back to the third fence,” said Harry, whose friend and local rival Rachel Proudly (riding Painted Lady) finished runner up.

Harry, who was quick to Birchall Harmony a hug, added: “I needed to be quick and smooth, without doing anything stupid. She was a bit cheeky but when we started to jump her at home my mum said we should hang on to her as she was a bit special.

"It was the best day of the year. I think it might even beat Christmas.”

Olympia, The London International Horse Show continues it is regarded as one of the most important equestrian indoor horse shows in Europe.

Harry’s mother, Victoria, a horse riding instructor, has previously explained her son was first put on a horse as a baby and has been riding since he was four years old. Harry’s father, is a horse farrier and the boy has been trained by former international show-jumper Joanne Tanfield of Thornaby. The young horse rider wants to become a professional horse rider when he grows up.