TAVISTOCK teenager Amanda Cole is riding high after success in a national showjumping competition.
The 15-year-old, who has been riding all her life, was runner-up in the prestigious BEIB (British Equestrian Insurance Brokers Ltd) Junior British Novice Championships, which saw more than 100 qualifiers compete.
The event was held at the British Showjumping Association's Festival of Showjumping in Grantham, Lincolnshire, recently.
Winner of the national Pony of the Year competition earlier this year, Amanda and her pony Cottage Celeste, have won £1,300 in prize money during their eight months together.
The teenager had been entering events for four years and having a lot of success locally before starting to compete under British Showjumping Association rules 18 months ago.
Her father Arthur, who owns a farm and breeds horses, said Amanda only just missed out on the novice title.
'She had the fastest round but unfortunately knocked the last fence down,' he said. 'Being runner-up is still a great achievement when you consider that it is a national event and very tough competition.'
Amanda, who narrowly missed out on qualification for the Horse of the Year show this year, is currently looking for sponsorship for next year.