EIGHT riders from south Dorset have galloped to success at a prestigious national championships.
The young riders from South Dorset Hunt Branch of the Pony Club (SDHPC) have been crowned national champions or finished runners up at the JCB Pony Club National Championships.
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This year's championships were held between August 13-22 at Offchurch Bury, Warwickshire - with Dorchester's Laura Stafford being given top prize of National Champion, as well as Novice Event Champion.
Janet Lickiss, from SDHPC said: "The JCB Pony Club National Championships is one of the most prestigious competitions for young riders in the UK.
"Laura Stafford, aged 16, from Dorchester was crowned National Champion as well as Novice Event Champions along with teammates Annie Doyle, aged 16, from Dorchester and Abbie Rogers, aged 16 from Wareham, and Josie Spring, aged 16, from Poole.
Their success comes after being pitting against hundreds of riders from across the country.
"We have more than 100 members at our south Dorset branch, but it just so happens all eight of the riders, who succeeded at the championships, have their horses livery at the Bovington Army Camp, which has the RAC Saddle Club," said Ms Lickiss.
There was also success for Mille Rogers, aged 17, from Wareham, Maddie Spring, aged 18, from Poole, Olivia Mallows, aged 17, from Dorchester, and Harriet White, aged 19, from Bere Regis. The foursome finished as group runners up in the Intermediate Eventing.
Josie also won her Novice Dressage Section.
Ms Lickiss added: "We also had two polo players Lily and Fred Frampton playing in the Polo Championship. Fred and his team were crowned National Champions in their section.
"All our equestrian GB riders at the Olympics will have come up from starting our pony club.
"The SDHPC has a fantastic reputation for producing top class riders and we're very lucky to have some excellent instructors who mentor them."
It was the first time the national championships were held after two years of cancellations.
The SDHPC was founded in 1931 and has strong ties with the South Dorset Hunt.
The branch, which has more than one hundred members from across Dorset, encompassing some of the UK’s most beautiful scenery.
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