DREAMS came true for rider Zoe Squirrell as the Dorset ace performed beyond all expectations in her first Para Dressage Winter National Championships.

The 25-year-old, a grade two classified competitor with leftsided hemiplegic cerebral palsy, was on board The Silver Surfer, an experienced 12-year-old who featured in last year’s World Equestrian Games.

In the Restricted Championship class, Squirrell claimed fourth spot with a score of 65.833 per cent, beaten only by riders on the current British Talent Squads after remarkably only taking up the sport eight months ago.

Speaking about her performance, Squirrell told Echosport: “It’s a brilliant achievement for me really.

“Going in to enter my first championship, I just wanted the experience.

“But to ride among people that I watch on the TV and follow online was brilliant.

“The people that were above me have their own horses and compete at a world class level. They are all world class riders.

“I am really new to it, I only started in September.

“To do so well was brilliant and I didn’t expect it at all.”

The Silver Surfer, known as ‘Ollie’ by Squirrell, is kept in Gloucester and owned by Sarah Hart.

And the Corfe-Castle based competitor has to make the lengthy journey to work with the horse, as well as doing her own training at South Coast Equestrian in Weymouth.

Speaking about her trusted horse, Squirrell added: “He is quite experienced, he has had 11 Para dressage riders and is quite a friendly horse.

“Countries like Hong Kong and Singapore who are less experienced in Para dressage ride him because he is such a reliable competitor.

“His owner has put quite a lot in to help me.”

And the Dorset Para dressage star is hopeful that this will be the start of something special during this summer.

She added: “My aims for 2015 are to compete in the Para Dressage Summer National Championships and in the Para Home International.”

With travelling costs proving expensive following her newly found success, the young rider is also looking for a boost from people around the area.

She said: “I am seeking sponsorship from local companies to aid with the costs of training and competing towards these goals.”

If you would like to sponsor Squirrell, get in touch with her by phoning 07932478932 or by emailing zoesq@hotmail.co.uk