DARLINGTON Riding Club had a very successful weekend at the area qualifiers at Beamish, County Durham, with the open show jumping team qualifying for the national championships for the second year running.

The team of Sara Metcalfe, Helen Foulds, Angela Peacock and Angela Morris had to compete with two substitute horses, Angela Morris borrowing a horse at the last minute which she had only ridden briefly two days before the competition.

Last year the team finished eighth overall, with Helen Foulds fourth individually.

The finals take place on September 13 at Lincolnshire showground.

The club also qualified for the pairs dressage and the dressage to music finals, with Caron Stokell and Angela Peacock again taking the honours.

The championship will be held at Addington Manor, Buckinghamshire on October 11 and 12.