A RECORD number of girls from one North Yorkshire school are competing in a national equestrian competition this week.

Seven teams and six individual girls from Queen Mary’s School, near Thirsk, qualified for the National Schools Equestrian Association Championship Finals and are currently in Keysoe vying to be national champions.

The girls are competing over the four-day event against strong competition in Show Jumping and Jumping with Style classes where they have previously been crowned national champions.

Dee Ormston, Queen Mary’s Riding Captain, said: “Previous successes may add to the pressure on some teams, but the support and training that we have received from Robert Blane and Emma Swinburn, alongside the Queen Mary’s have-a-go mentality, have given us the determination and resilience to dig deep, ride each stride at a time and enjoy what will be an amazing experience.” Carole Cameron, Queen Mary’s head said: “Congratulations to the girls and our Equestrian Centre staff.”