YOUNG Stokesley rider Cornelia Papiez, aged 11, has got the new showing season off to a flying start by taking the show hunter championship at Kilmaurs Show, Kilmarnock with her 133cm show hunter pony, Antoinette's Catamount.

The nine-year-old bay mare by Duntarvie Catamount is produced at Kirkby in Cleveland by Peter and Claire Emmerson, for whom Cornelia also rides the Welsh Section B gelding, Gunthwaite Mahogany.

This pony, owned by Mrs J Dawson, is in his first season of showing under saddle and enjoyed great success at the BSPS Winter Championships at Solihull.

He won the Heritage open mini championship and was second in the Winter Heritage restricted first ridden, both with Cornelia, and was also placed in the Winter Novice Welsh B and Cs when ridden by Rachel Dawson.

Other Emmerson-produced ponies to enjoy success at Solihull included six-year-old Danielle Burnip's lead rein hunter pony, Wingland Make Believe, who qualified for the Royal International Horse Show and was reserve mini winter novice/restricted show hunter pony champion.

Danielle's sister, 11-year-old Lindy Burnip, was second in the winter open 128cm show pony class riding Crabfield Rhapsody Owl, while Zara Collins, riding her lead rein show pony, Haighend Glayva, won both the winter novice and open classes.

* Cornelia Papiez is pictured right with Antoinette's Catamount - F Papiez