A YOUNG horse rider from Lydford has come away from the Junior Showjumping Championships of Great Britain with two gold medals.

It was a superb effort from Jessica Harrison who beat off stiff competition in the national championships at the David Broome Event Centre in Chepstow, Wales.

Jessica, aged 11, lives with her mother, Judith Webster, who is a equine vet, at Lydford.  She has been riding since she was three years-old and loves hunting with the Spooners.

The Okehampton College pupil qualified at the Cholwell Equestrian Centre at Lewdown, with two ponies, Barnaby VII, and Rickie. Although Rickie didn't produce the goods on the day, Barnaby came through winning not one but two gold medals for the 2ft 3ins and 2ft 6ins classes.

Proud grandfather Geoff Harrison, told the Times: 'To achieve this you have to accumulate the highest score over two days involving preliminary rounds with jump-offs on the first day, and then going through the same thing on the final day. 

'Riders from all over the country take part, some coming down from as far north as Newcastle, and with more than 60 competitors in each class I feel she has done incredibly well.  More so because she was the only competitor to win two championship medals.'