TEESSIDE youngster Millie Allen was honoured at the British Equestrian Writers’ Association annual lunch, held during the Olympia London International Show, when she received the prestigious Cynthia Muir trophy for being the outstanding junior rider of the year.

Millie, 13, from Stainsby Grange Equestrian Centre, Thornaby, and trained by her parents Paula and Peter, has been on top form this season was a member of the gold medal European Children’s Junior team and also took the individual silver at Jardy, France riding Trueleva.

Millie, with Trueleva, also took the Children’s Grand Prix at the CSIOCH Show held at Bonheiden, Belgium and, at the Royal International, Hickstead, she won the Winter JC Championship with Herbies Double Trouble.

Millie also competed at Olympia in the Junior Stakes riding Little Ryan II and finished ninth in this final. Millie’s parents were absolutely delighted that she had been selected to receive this award, which is a fitting memory to Cynthia who wrote articles on juniors including the Junior European Championships at Stonington, a memory which our reporter remembers who was one of the collecting stewards.