THE granddaughter of a renowned racehorse trainer has scooped a national accolade after retraining one of his thoroughbreds to compete at horse shows.

Joanna Mason was handed The Jockey Club's RoR Horse of the Year Champion title by TV presenter Clare Balding at a ceremony in Newmarket for her 13-year-old horse Liverpool after making a remarkable recovery from crushing and fracturing vertebrae in a fall in March.

While she was recovering from her operation, the North Yorkshire rider had the idea of trying side-saddle with Liverpool, whose racing career had been overseen by her grandfather, Ryedale trainer Mick Easterby, enabling them to compete in a Horse of the Year Show qualifier, at the Great Yorkshire Show, where they came fourth.

A month later, Liverpool competed at the RoR National Championship Show at Aintree International Equestrian Centre, where they won RoR/TARRA Ridden Qualifier class and finished third in the side-saddle class.

Joanna had won the amateur rider’s race on her grandfathers horse Felix De Vega the previous evening riding at Redcar.

RoR Chief Executive, Di Arbuthnot said; “We chose to recognise Liverpool as this talented horse is a great all-rounder in hunting, showing, jumping and side-saddle. He epitomises the adaptability and versatility of so many retrained racehorses in their new careers.”