A TOP horse rider from Darwen is waiting to hear if she has been selected to ride at this year's Paralympics in Athens.

Felicity Coulthard, 19, suffers from cerebral palsy, and at a recent competition was selected to take part in the first selection trials for the global competition.

So the rider, who specialises in dressage, entered a competition in Gloucestershire with her horse Kelsborrow Buccaneer.

She was one of five riders taking part in the event which was the first of three selections towards this year's Paralympics.

He dad, Jim, said: "It is highly unlikely that she will be selected this time, but she was extremely pleased to have got among the top five riders this year.

"That's especially when you consider that her aim at the beginning of the year was to be a contender for the 2008 Paralympics.

"It's still quite positive that she got this far.

"To get through to the last five is quite an achievement."

Felicity, of Essex Street, has problems with her speech and mobility because of her cerebral palsy.

She currently trains with an advanced instructor and travels a round trip of 180 miles once a month for training sessions at the Yorkshire Riding Centre.