A TEENAGER with a rare metabolic condition which affects her mobility has returned from a disabled dressage championship with three medals.

Laura Curson, 14, from Stokesley School, riding on Hunky Dory at the National Riding for the Disabled Dressage Championship, won the graded dressage test and was awarded the Charley Dargie trophy for the highest score in this test.

She went on to win the graded freestyle dressage to music, and came second in the dressage pairs with Kathryn Pavitt.

Laura and her groom were also placed third in tack and turnout. However, the icing on the cake was when Laura received a surprise award at the final presentation when she won the Bob Galbreath Trophy for the best combined graded score over the whole weekend.

Laura has Glutaric Aciduira Type One, a rare metabolic condition, which affects her mobility. Her passion for riding is not only her greatest hobby but it also helps to stretch her muscles and improve her core strength.

Laura has developed a special bond with Hunky Dory, the pony she partnered at the national championships at Hartpury College in Gloucester. Hunky Dory belongs to Claire Robinson, the manager of Stokesley Riding for the Disabled and Robinson’s Equiteach.

Robinson’s Equiteach kindly paid for all the Stokesley RDA competitors to enter the national championship and Jane Curson, Laura’s mum, wanted to help towards the £2,000 entry fee and the additional costs of transporting the horses.

Laura said: “These achievements mean the world to me and I am in my element. I feel I am going from strength to strength with my riding and getting closer to my ultimate dream of becoming a Paralympic champion one day."

Hannah Millett, headteacher at Stokesley School, added: "We continue to be exceptionally proud of Laura, not just for her incredible sporting achievements, but also for her general warmth and sunny disposition around our school.

"We are very lucky to have her as one of our students."