WARREN Fentiman and his pony Barkway Little Star, from Malton, qualified for the Horse of the Year Show at Stoneleigh Horse show winning the first ridden class.

Warren, who only turned seven in May, is in his first year off the lead rein in the show ring. He has been so near on several occasions this year, making him so much more determined to prove that he could show off his pony to the best of his ability and win that coveted Horse of the Year ticket.

Warren’s determination to succeed has paid off in a relatively short space of time.

His mum Kirby said: “There were times in the season when I had to be realistic and remind myself that they probably would not qualify this year as Warren is so young and relatively inexperienced against the older and more experienced riders, but I should have realized Warren’s determination.”

Little Star, as she is known at home, was bought as an unbroken three-year-old from the Barkway Stud, in Hertfordshire. The Fentimans, having broken Little Star in themselves, had a great year with her last year finishing eighth in the lead rein class at the Royal International Horse Show.

She will be hoping for a top spot at the Horse of the Year Show this year, this time off the lead rein.

Kirby said there is still much to do in the run-up to the Horse of the Year with little changes to her training to try and keep her and Warren improving.

"Training never stops just because you qualify; you have to try and keep one step ahead," she said.

Warren, who is a pupil at Amotherby Primary School, is hoping to follow in his father, Duran Fentiman's, footsteps and become a jockey when he is old enough, but in the meantime is quite happy gaining experience in the show ring and having a good gallop on the gallops with his ponies.

Kirby said: “We had an amazing time at Stoneleigh, made all the more pleasurable to qualify in front of friends and family. I am so proud of how much he has achieved.”