JOANNA MASON, from Malton, has qualified for the prestigious Horse of the Year Show 2014.

She took first place in the Racehorse to Riding Horse class at the South Essex Insurance Broker’s (SEIB) Search for a Star and Racehorse to Riding Horse 2014 qualifier at Houghton Hall Equestrian and Alpaca Centre, in Cambridgeshire, on August 10.

Joanna was riding the ex-racehorse Liverpool (GER), belonging to her mother Susan Mason. She fought off stiff competition from other riders in the class to gain qualification for the Horse of The Year Show.

It was a strong class and the good numbers forward meant that they were split for the initial judging, giving the judges plenty to think about.

In the final places, first went to Liverpool, ridden by Joanna.

The 12-year-old German-bred dark bay gelding was trained under rules by renowned racehorse trainer Mick Easterby, who is also Joanna’s grandad.

Joanna is an amateur jockey and has ridden in point-to-points and amateur races under rules.

Liverpool has won two point-to-points and had numerous places before retiring to the hunting field in with Ian Mason, Joanna’s father, in 2010.

This is their second season showing and they have had a successful season so far with wins at Lincolnshire show in the RoR Challenge and RoR Hickstead qualifier, and won the RoR class at Malton, Yorkshire and Ryedale shows.

The pair plan to continue to do RoR show classes and more jumping.

“He is so straight forward, he thrives on adrenalin and will love it at HOYS. I am really excited,” said Joanna.

Joanna and Liverpool (GER) will compete at The South Essex Insurance Brokers Racehorse to Riding Horse Championship finals at the Horse of the Year Show, October 8 to 12, at Birmingham NEC.