THE encouragement of champion jockey Tony McCoy has helped a ten-year-old girl achieve considerable success in the show ring.

Lucie McKenzie, from Stillington, near Stockton, hopes to one day emulate her idol by making a name for herself in the racing industry. But for now she is content with winning showing prizes.

She has dominated young handler classes from the age of seven and has now taken on the adults with success this summer.

Her mother, Karen, said: "Her determination and will to win is far beyond her age and she is never satisfied until she's at the top."

Lucie has enjoyed numerous wins this year, but highlights included winning best young handler for the third year in succession and having the overall champion pony in-hand at Keswick Agricultural Show with Karita Karisma, bred by her mother.

She was also champion at East Harlsey with the same pony, but the apple of her eye is Boston Babooshka, a Welsh Section B yearling she acquired last Christmas as a foal.

The young partnership has proved very successful, taking many prizes throughout the season.

Mrs McKenzie said: "The season ended on an incredible high with a win in a very competitive class at Stanhope and they took a class win, champion yearling and overall reserve Section B at Wolsingham, an outstanding result for them both as Lucie does all the work on these ponies herself."

Lucie struck up a firm friendship with the top National Hunt jockey after he replied to a Christmas card she sent him. She follows his career closely and goes to watch him race whenever possible.

He has encouraged her, inviting her into the paddock before races, and even included her in his video The Real McCoy.

Her mother added: "Her ambition is to train and ride her own racehorse, but she says she wants to go one better than Tony and win the Grand National."

Next year promises to be very competitive for the McKenzie family as Lucie's twin brother Graeme is hoping for the same success in his first season of motocross racing.