A teenage showjumper from Chorley will compete at the famous Horse of the Year Show after winning a qualifying event on a horse she trained herself.

Danielle Smith, 18, of Sharratts Path, Charnock Richard rode her horse, Applejax Amigo, to victory in a regional qualifier at Harrogate.

Her horse bears the name of the Chorley nightclub, owned by Danielle's father Kurt who accompanied Danielle to Germany where she bought it at the Westphalian horse sale in Munster.

Danielle, a former pupil of Southlands High School, Chorley, produced three clear rounds in the fastest time to win the qualifying event and guarantee her place at showjumping's top event to be held at the NEC Arena, Birmingham in October.

She said: "I've had Applejax Amigo for 18 months now and he just keeps on getting better. He is a quiet and shy horse, but we get on really well together.

"To compete at the Horse of the Year show with such big crowds will be brilliant and I'm sure he won't let me down."

Danielle and Applejax Amigo will compete in the newcomers' section after winning through to the final from 15,000 entries.

She will be cheered on at the event, regarded as a "Champion of Champions" show for showjumpers, by dad Kurt and mum Andrea.

The event takes place between October 12-15 and generates 150,000 entries at equestrian shows all over the country.

It combines national and international showjumping, featuring some of the best showjumpers in the world competing for the coveted titles such as Horse or Pony of the Year in each breed or type.