LYDFORD based endurance rider Abby Chisholm and her small but tough pony Diana of Court, (16) rode a careful and well judged ride at the Endurance GB Red Dragon Ride at Builth Wells.

The first day of the two day 160 kilometre ride saw the moorland and slippery, grassy tracks, which needed careful and steady riding. Out of a class of 10 Abby and Diana finished in third behind top GB riders Tricia Hirst and Lauren Mills.

Abby, aged 19, said: 'This was one of my ambitions to complete one of the toughest rides in the country. My mum Jo has completed the Red Dragon three times on our great old horse Grey Medlar, who we very sadly had to put down this year at the age of 23 due to complications with colic, and so this was one for his memory.

'Also it is nice to prove that you don't have to have a big horse to do well. Diana, who is a part bred Arab, has the spirit of a big horse and has attitude – she doesn't know she is only 13.2 and can keep up with some of the bigger horses, but is very clever over the rough ground which is to our advantage on rides like these.'

Abby and Diana completed the ride in around 13hrs riding time.

If you would like to learn more about Endurance Riding in the south west see http://www.endurancegbsouthwest.com">www.endurancegbsouthwest.com