UP and coming endurance rider, Nikki Malcolm, achieved her best result to date to take the National Championship with Khartoum With AK.

The Whitcombe rider and her charge finished fifth in the international FEI CEI Three* competition, won by HE Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum and Spendacrest Kamouflage.

The championships were held at Euston Park, near Thetford and provided an opportunity for national riders to compete at this venue that is normally only used for international competition. Bred for endurance by the late Cheryl Logan, Khartoum With AK is an anglo, by the arab stallion, Khairho, who himself won multiple 100 mile endurance races, and out of a 17hh TB mare whose breeding can be linked to the famous American racehorse, Seabiscuit. Malcolm has been riding Khartoum With AK for three seasons and he has not been the easiest to train.

She said: “He is not for the faint-hearted and is full of attitude but I really enjoy him.”

The 13-year-old has proved to be consistently successful, winning five national competitions in a row. The pair won the 136km two-day Cirencester Park Summer Solstice, the Ridgeway Barbury Castle 100km, and the Red Dragon 82km in their first season. Last season saw them finish 11th in the international FEI 120km at Euston Park with further success at the Cerne Giant and Hardy rides as well as repeating their wins at Cirencester and Barbury.

Khartoum With AK has notched up a competitive distance of over 1,828km so far in his career.

Malcolm added: “He just breezed through with minimum effort so we are now stepping up to international competitions.”

They completed the 160km endurance ride, including five vet gates and a final veterinary inspection, at an average speed of more than 16kph to secure the National Championship.

Malcolm said: “He still needs to improve but this was our first attempt at this distance and I am very pleased with his performance. “I will listen to the squad managers and train for this level – I think we can do it.”

Malcolm’s aim is selection for the World Championships due to be held in Britain in 2012. She first competed in endurance aged 14 and now, at 27, she has completed a competitive distance of more than 6,200 km. As well as training her own endurance horse, she also brings on young horses for international endurance rider, Chris Yeoman.

But before she can start work on the endurance horses she rides out three lots of racehorses first thing in the morning for former Melplash trainer Bob Buckler and Whitcombe’s Jo Crowley.