A YOUNG rider from East Cleveland produced a superb performance to finish runner-up in a national competition last Sunday.

Jenny Smith, of Horse Close Farm, Marske, was second in the novice section at the British Horse Society national cross-country championships at Keysoe in Bedfordshire.

The 19-year-old, who is a member of Whitby Riding Club, was just one second outside the optimum time with no penalties on Peachfield, a Connemara cross thoroughbred which was bought by her family as an unbroken four-year-old.

The horse has been broken and brought on by Jenny over the last couple of years and the pair qualified for the national championships at Foxberry Chasers in March.

Jenny's results at the national championships have been gradually improving. She was sixth two years ago and fifth last year with her pony Majestic Glen, also known as Robbie.

The teenager, who is studying for a marketing and business degree at Teesside University, had even more to celebrate when she teamed up with Carolyn Walton, from Middleton St George, to take the North of England award in the pairs championship.

The pair are both members of Stokesley Young Farmers.