A NORTH-EAST girl has won a ride in a mini-version of the Grand National.
Lucy Burke, ten, from Richmond, North Yorkshire, will compete in the Osborne Refrigerators Shetland Pony Grand National at the Olympia International Show Jumping Championships from December 16 to 20.
Although the Shetland ponies have a maximum height of 41 inches, they gallop at full speed and jump over 2ft brush fences along the course. The jockeys all have to be under 5ft 1in and aged nine to 14.
Riders competed in a series of heats across the UK to win their place.
Lucy will be riding Eastlands Might Mark, belonging to Hickstead Horse Feeds.
The Shetland Pony Grand National is one of a host of competitions being held in the Olympia arena.
Other events include dressage, show jumping and displays from the Barcelona Police and the Metropolitan Mounted Police.
Since its inception, the annual series of races has raised more than £250,000 for charity.
For details about the show, contact the box office on 0870 7330733, or visit www.olympia horseshow.com.
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