FOURTEEN-YEAR-OLD Helen Smith produced an excellent performance to achieve a ninth-place finish at the Dengie Pony Club Winter Show Jumping League area competitions in Warwickshire.

Helen, a pupil at St Bede's RC High School - representing Blackburn and District Pony Club - was one of scores of competitors trying in vain to gain a place in the finals at Warwickshire College, Morton Morrell.

"It was my first time at the Championships and it was all very colourful and exciting," said Helen.

The first four in each competition went through - a total of 69 riders, all under 18 years. Now in its third year and supported by Dengie Crops Ltd, the competition enables grassroots members of the Pony Club to take part in an event suited to their level of performance, improving their ability and confidence, before embarking on competitions of a higher level.

There were 400 qualifying rounds, with over 4,200 entries at 100 equestrian centres throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, from October to February, when the first four at each qualifier went forward to one of 19 area competitions where there were a total 700 entries.

The top four riders received jackets and championship rugs, as well as a day's showjump training with international competitor Di Lampard. All the placed riders received a bag of horse feed, while all competitors were handed a feed bucket.

Whitworth's Jenny Brown, 15, was also making her debut at the event on the 13.2hh grey pony Whisper. She is the first rider from Saddleworth Pony Club to qualify.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.