AN eleven-year-old Barnard Castle rider is forging his way up the British Show Jumping Association rankings after a string of successes.

Adam Valks won the 90cm open on his pony Diego III at Holmeside last Saturday and also the small pony open class. He then finished third in the Kraiburg Sapphire qualifier on his brother Brad's 14.2hh horse Esselle.

Esselle previously belonged to Sara Martin and had already qualified for the newcomers, JC and Kraiburg.

On Sunday, at Stainsby Grange, Adam won the last of the winter's 138cms on Royal Declan and was equal first in the Smith of WhiteInch primary Scope qualifier for Arena UK.

The previous weekend he won five of the seven classes at Yafforth equestrian centre junior BSJA - the 90cm, foxhunter, 11 years and under on Diego; the small pony open on Royal Declan and the Kraiburg Discovery qualifier for the championships at Solihull on another of his brother's ponies, MacFlurry.

Their mother, Mrs Janet Valks, said: "Brad jumped off a straw bale and impaled the back of his leg on a length of angle iron, which is why Adam has been riding for him. He's had his stitches out and can't wait to get back in the saddle.

"Adam and Royal Declan are probably 16th by now in the BSJA rankings for the 14 and under age group in the British Isles. They were 20th before Christmas.

"Both Brad and Adam have qualified for JC second rounds, 138 second rounds and Kraiburg finals, together with Newcomer second rounds. They are hoping to qualify for Hickstead this year."