A YOUNG horse rider from Sticklepath is beginning to mount a real challenge in the equestrian world after more success in the saddle last week.

William Bentley-Lovell, 10, was in excellent form with his pony Cherrytop Imperial Starlight (Coco), at the Horse Of The Year Show on Sunday at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham.

Having fought off competition from more than 700 entrants nationwide to a place in the finals of the first ridden class at the prestigious Horse of the Year Show, William and Coco, in a huge section of national top class ponies, were placed in their top ten at tenth.

William, who attends Spreyton School, is taught by his father, Andrew, who was thrilled with the result.

William started riding at just two and a half and was soon winning rosettes.

In the showing, he and Coco, a Welsh B cross throughbred, impressed the judges with their good manners, teamwork, trot and canter and general performance.

His mother, Nicola, said: 'It is quite an achievement as he was competing against professionally produced ponies and children. We are just thrilled that he has got so far and we are very proud of him.

'William tries hard and he doesn't get it easy, his pony is quite a handful. He did all his own riding in/warm up before the competition up there and we are very proud of him to hold his nerve in such a big arena.'

Mrs Bentley-Lovell thanked local sponsor Balsdon Vehicle Services of Okehampton for their help.

This season William has already won six rides and following the Horse of the Year hopes for more success next year when he begins to compete in showjumping competitions.