A RIDING for the disabled instructor brought home the winning rosettes after competing against hundreds of other competitors in the worlds biggest disabled riding event.

Claire Pope, from Northallerton, who works with the Bedale RDA group had her arm amputated after a motorbike accident 14 years ago when she was 26 but was determined to carry on riding and competing.

This week she carried off prizes in the freestyle dressage to music and the show jumping at the RDA national championships, which were held at Hartpury College in Gloucestershire and involved over 500 riders from all over the UK.

Julia Harmby, organiser of Bedale Riding for the Disabled which is based at Catterick said: "It is a major achievement. Claire had to go through the regional events before getting to the National Championships and she did so well. She is very determined and that has paid off."

Claire said:"I have been going to the championships for seven years now and it is a very competitive event. There is a lot of friendly rivalry which all adds to the atmosphere. It was good to do well.

"I think now people who know me forget I have one arm, I go to a lot of competitions all over the country including para show jumping. After my accident I decided I wanted to carry on riding which I had been doing since I was a teenager. I knew about Riding for the Disabled, sought out my local group and that helped enormously. I would say to anyone in the same position if you want to do something just push forward, you might have to think outside the box, but work with the support that is around you, family and friends, and just make the most of it.

"I think for many disabled riders they see someone like me with one arm, I can give them instruction and know what it is like, they know I have dealt with it and that helps," she added.

Grants from the Peoples Postcode Lottery helped pay for travelling to the championships. Bedale RDA is based at the Saddle Club in Catterick Garrison and works with children and adults, including youngsters from the Dales School at Morton on Swale.

The group has around 25 volunteers but Julia Harmby said more are always needed, and they work hard to raised funds to keep the group going. "Anyone who would like to get involved would be really welcome, it is such a benefit for many, and we couldn't run the group without our volunteers," said Julia who can be contacted on jmts@mican.plus.com