THE Golden Horseshoe Ride on Exmoor is the toughest endurance ride in England but this year 14-year-old Abby Chisholm from Lydford not only competed on her 13.2hh pony, CFS Diana of Court, she came home with a bronze medal.

Abby took part in The Exmoor Eighty class, tackling a testing 80km (50 miles) route that included a steep climb up through the woods to Webber's Post and another up to the coastal tracks above Porlock, before going steeply downhill to the halfway halt at Malmesmead. 

There the 12-year-old Arab pony had to pass a stiff veterinary check before being allowed to continue.

The second half of the route took the riders across Brendon Common to Exe Head and down into Simonsbath.

From here they crossed the ancient Landacre Bridge before riding around Withypool Common, across the River Barle and steeply up to the finish at the Exford showground.

Abby and her pony (pictured right) averaged 11.26 kph over the 50 miles and after the final vetting were awarded a deserved bronze medal.