ROXANNE SHIPLEY, from Sheriff Hutton, is living the dream with chestnut mare Headmore Dream On.

The pair were selected to ride by the British Dressage panel at the CIC international young riders’ competition at Addington Manor CDI, earning them the honour to wear the Union flag badge when competing.

Headmore Dream On, who is now 11, is owned by Pat, Mark and Eddie Ruddock.

They have secured a high-profile sponsorship from Appealing Properties, in York.

Dream is still relatively new to this level of competition but with each outing she is getting better and better. Roxy now plans to up the training at home with an aim of competing in the under-25 Grand Prix classes next year.

After passing the official trot-ups before the start of the competition, the pair rode as part of a team and as individuals, pulling off some stunning movements along with a couple of not-so-great moments.

Roxanne said: “Horses are great levellers. Just when you think this is great, they bring you back down to earth with a bang, but on the whole I was very proud of her, and what an honour for us to be able to wear the Union flag.”

The duo’s next goals are the Premier League at Keysoe at the end of April and then the regionals. This pair have their feet firmly on the ladder and just want to keep climbing.