Darlington teenager Georgie Morrison made the line-up in the 2004 British Pony three-day event championships, a national title for riders aged 16 and under staged in Shropshire.

The championships were held at the Sansaw Park event and all Britain's best young eventers, on ponies of 14.2hh (148cm) or less, had qualified.

Georgie, a 15-year-old pupil at Barnard Castle School, finished fifth on her 14.2hh black mare Sapphire Blue.

Her mother Mrs Nicky Morrison said: "Georgie was at the championships last year and finished 20th, so this was a definite improvement.

"She is in her third season on Sapphire Blue, who is on lease from York owner Mrs Bosanquet, whose daughter Helen rode the pony in the past."

The pair began with an excellent dressage performance, their score of 48.2 penalties putting them well in touch with the leaders. They then faced a testing cross-country course, where several narrow combinations called for spot-on accuracy and the optimum time proved hard to achieve.

Mrs Morrison added: "Georgie jumped a really good clear cross-country. It was quite a tough course, but she took all the direct routes and came home with 15 time penalties."

A clear in the final show jumping phase, a score only six of the top 12 riders could match, pulled the pair up to a highly creditable fifth spot.

The good result also means Georgie has been long-listed for the British team to compete at the Pony European three-day event championships to be held in Poland at the end of July.

It is the first time the teenager, who trains with former top international eventer Rachel Bayliss and Darlington's June Dent, has been long-listed for the team.

Mrs Morrison said: "She will now go on to the Shipton Moyne one-day event in Gloucestershire at the start of July, and the selectors will be watching closely."

The British Pony team has a good track record at European championships level and just missed a medal last year when they finished a close fourth.

With three of last year's team members still eligible, a place will not be easily won, but Georgie's current form certainly proves she has the ability to compete at the highest level.