A CHEQUE from the Prince's Trust has meant a dream could come true for young Joanne Buck of Middleham.

All the 15-year-old has wanted to do since the age of seven is to work with horses. She would like to be a jockey and then a horse trainer herself.

It was Ms Sarah Barrett, the careers officer at Wensleydale School, who suggested some months ago, that Joanne might be able to do the ten-week course in horse care at the Northern Riding College at Doncaster.

But when she was accepted for the course Joanne found she could not afford the equipment and clothes required. So, with the help of Mrs Joan Danvers at the Wensleydale Community Education office, she applied to the Prince's Trust for a £200 grant.

Mrs Danvers said that Joanne did very well at the interview with a Prince's Trust official recently. And to Joanne's amazement they sent a cheque for £350 payable to the Northern Riding College so that she could buy everything she needed.

"Without this cheque I couldn't go on the course," she said. "I didn't think I would get it. Things like this don't happen to me."

She lives with her mother and two younger brothers and commented: "Mum is happy for me. She is supporting me all the way."

And that includes the possibility of Joanne taking up a job offer at a stud farm near Leeds after she finishes the course at Doncaster.

She intends to try for a job at a stables closer to home, but the opportunity at Leeds interests her very much.

"It's a small stud farm which sends horses for racing outside this country. So I could learn more and do more there." She could also study for more qualifications and her eyes lit up at the thought of foreign travel.

Meanwhile, she is looking forward to the course at Doncaster, which starts on August 13, during which she will celebrate her 16th birthday.