A RIDER from the region has qualified for an international showjumping competition.

Julia Picken, from Swainby, North Yorkshire, came first in the qualifying stage at Fenwick, in Ayrshire, at the weekend with U2II.

She will now take part in the Yorkshire Showjumping Championships in Sheffield next April.

Ms Picken said: “It’s like a dream come true, a lot of riders from Europe will be coming over as its such a high standard.”

Ms Picken has been riding nine-year-old U2II, who is owned by Kate Fellows from Ingleby Arncliffe, for six years.

Ms Fellows said: “I was absolutely over the moon when she cleared her three rounds, just thrilled.”

Having ridden for most of her life, Ms Picken is delighted to have reached such a high standard of riding.

She said: “I’ll have to take part in a lot more shows at a this sort of standard to get U2II ready for the championships, as the jumps will be really high.”

Another rider from the region, Pippa Allen, from Thornaby, also qualified for the championships, after coming second at the qualifying stage at Fenwick.