A YOUNG woman from Lifton and her horse have qualified for a national riding championship. Lizzie Luxton of Yeat Farm and her horse Lotus Elan, 12, successfully won first prize for the Riding Club National Championship qualifier, held at Chiverton Park. Lizzie, 17, is a member of the Holsworthy Riding Club. Four members from the club were also in a team for the qualifier, and the team came second. Only one team and one individual can qualify from the South West. The championship will be held at Offchurch in Stoneleigh on August 3,4 and 5 but due to flooding the dates may be put back. This was the first year Lizzie could ride as a riding club member as participants have to be in their 18th year to compete in the national qualifiers. For the qualifier Lotus Elan had to jump a height of 3ft 3 to 3ft 6, dressage, a showjump course which includes around nine fences, and take part in the cross country. Lizzie said she was not too nervous as she has ridden Lotus Elan, who is 16 hands and three inches, in many British events. Lizzie said: ?She is very talented and she is a good girl. I am very pleased she won off her own back and not because someone failed. She did it herself.? Lizzie also took a five year old male horse called Blue Moon Rising to the qualifier and competed in the novice section. Mrs L Mitchell from Tiverton is his owner and he came second.
