A WEST Devon youngster is set to compete in a prestigious equestrian show for the second time.

William Bentley-Lovell from Sticklepath is again competing in the Horse of the Year Show with his mother's pure-bred Arabian 'Viola Des Alpes'. He qualified last year as well and was the first child to have done so on a pure-bred Arab at the age of 12.

The family was given the horse as a three-year-old filly, three years ago.

William's father Andrew Lovell, who is a well known instructor in all things equine, broke her in with the help of William two years ago.

Initially, the family were going to sell her on, but they became a very good partnership, winning many championships so the family decided to keep her for William.

William and the horse have become something of a talking point in the Arab Horse Society as it is unusual for a junior to compete so successfully among the adults, as this breed does not have the best reputation among the rest of the equine world.

His mother, Nicola Bentley-Lovell, said: 'William has developed into a brilliant horseman. He has an affinity with most horses and they perform well for him — he is a natural, so to speak, so much so he is now picking up his own work and has been offered to ride and compete other horses.'

William also plays rugby for Okehampton RFC under 14s, but he will miss training tomorrow (Friday), swapping the muddy pitch for the bright lights of the Horse of the Year Show.