A WHITEFIELD youngster has triumphed against the odds at the Royal Lancashire Show.

Georgia Davis, of Marle Croft, won the Hand Bred Arabian Mares category at last week's agricultural spectacular.

Georgia (14) managed to wow the judges with her four-year-old horse, Heidi.

The triumph marked the end of a long battle to train the hand-reared horse, who was once uncontrollable and difficult to handle.

Mother Jackie said: "Georgia really persevered against everyone telling her to give up Heidi. She worked really, really hard to get Heidi to where she is now."

Georgia's love of horses began when she was introduced to some nearby stables. She bought her first horse, Shariqa, when she was 12 years old. When Georgia decided to get a second horse, Sidney, Shariqa stayed in the family as her younger sister's horse.

Jackie said: "Georgia really wanted a horse so I managed to give up a 20-year smoking addiction and use the money saved to pay for them. It gave me something to see as the result of giving up smoking."

But tragedy struck and, after only 11 days, Sidney was kicked and suffered a broken leg. The family had no choice but to have the horse put down.

Jackie said: "When Sidney died, it was really hard for Georgia and she never wanted another horse. If it wasn't for Shariqa she would have walked away from horses for good. But we kept on at her and then she got Heidi."

Yet Arabian Mare Heidi, who had been hand reared since birth, proved more than a handful for the Davis family and they were soon urging Georgia to give her up.

Jackie explained: "Heidi had been completely ruined from being hand reared. She was so naughty and very difficult to calm down. But Georgia refused to give up on her and worked really, really hard on training her."

Georgia's hard work paid off when the duo performed in the Royal Lancashire Show and took home the prestigious red rosette.

Her mum added: "Georgia absolutely refused to give up and her hard work and determination got her through the show. We are extremely proud of both of them."