KATRINA Watson from New Longton was jumping for joy at the weekend when she and her horse Metz, an eight-year-old gelding, won the Puissance competition at the Showumping Championships at Birchinley Manor.

More than 60 riding clubs sent their qualified points champions to a battle of the best to find the Champion of Champions in the various disciplines.The Puissance consists of three jumps -- the last of which is the formidable wall.

Hoping for a clear round the combination of Katrina and Metz went into the unknown. Rattling the second fence they cleared the wall at 90cm, losing five riders in the first round the wall went up, losing more at each height but still the pair stayed in the battle. Five more rises in height had the crowd on the edge of their seats.

Katrina's fellow club members urged Metz on to their final glory of 1m 60cm to deafening applause, taking the title of Puissance Champion of Champions 2001.

This is a crown a little late in coming as she competed for the title on her 13.2hh pony when horses and ponies were both in the same class and was only beaten by a 17hh horse, after which the class was split so that it could not happen again.

During this year Katrina has qualified all three of her rides for National Finals and gained five places despite the poor season due to the foot and mouth crisis and ill health in her main ride.

She will now continue through the winter with indoor shows in readiness for next summer.

Katrina has also been offered a new stallion to ride which she will be trying on Saturday.

She is also pursuing any possibility of sponsorship which is very difficult to obtain.