A RYEDALE stable came first in the BHS National Riding School Championships last week.

Friars Hill Riding Stables, based in Sinnington, came top of the class at the British Horse Society’s championships which were held in Warwickshire on Wednesday.

The one-of-a-kind competition offers riders who don’t have their own horse the chance to compete at a National Championship.

The competition is open only to those who ride at BHS Approved Centres, with tests in dressage, showjumping and stable management.

This year more than 100 participants qualified to represent their riding school.

Instructor Alison Brown, said: “All of our Friars Hill Riders had a lovely time, they trained extremely hard with myself and fellow instructor Kerry Miller and seeing the joy on their faces and sharing their riding success’s with them is why we do, what he do here at Friars Hill Stables, for our riders it is the equivalent of them competing at the Olympics.

“We are also delighted that this is the third time that Blaze has won the double - combined class and Pure Dressage and with a different rider each time.

Friars Hill had several individual wins as well as the overall victory. Fiona Hardman riding Blaze came first in both the class 2 (13-17 years) and class 4 (17 years and under dressage).

Jennie Kent riding Grey came second in the class 3 (18 years and over) and Fiona Hill, also on Grey, came second in the class 5 (18 years and over dressage).

Oonagh Meyer, head of approvals at the BHS, said: “We want to say congratulations to everyone that competed at the Championships and thanks to Champion for kindly continuing to sponsor the competition.”

“It really was a fantastic day, providing riders who wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to compete, to show off their skills at a National Championships”.

For full results, go to bhs.org.uk/championshipresults2018