TWO young North Yorkshire show jumpers have galloped their way to success in the British championships competing against the leading riders in the country.

Hannah Barker, 12, from Northallerton carried off the Under 14’s title at the British Showjumping Championships at Stoneleigh. The remarkable youngster who has been riding since she was four carried off the title on Cartouche 11, a horse she’s only been training on since last October. In May she represented Great Britain as part of the team in the Nations Cup in Belgium.

It could be said the sport is in Hannah’s blood, her grandfather competed as part of the British team at the Tokyo Olympics in 1964 and her uncle Paul is an international showjumper.

Now she’s determined to be back at the championships next year to defend her title. Dad Ian said she had had a good season and was pleased with the win. He added: “She really enjoys it, she rides six ponies a day and Cartouche, she is very keen, it is a constant thing for her riding and training, so when she works so hard it is nice to get results out of it at the end of the day.”

Fellow North Yorkshire rider Rachel Proudley, from Kildale, Great Ayton, also 12, won a memorable victory in the National 128cm Championship at the British Championships at Stoneleigh.

Riding her 15-year-old skewbald mare Painted Lady IV, a surprise Christmas present for Rachel from her family three years ago, she captivated the audience with a gripping display. Rachel is no strangers to the spotlight having won the 128cms Championship at the Horse of the Year show last year.

Both riders are now set to compete in the the Horse of the Year Show again this year in October.