FIVE-YEAR-OLD Annabelle Jones from Chop Gate was on top form at the British Elite Championship held at Myerscough College, Preston, where she took the lead rein and reserve mini show pony championship.

She was riding the four-year-old Rotherwood Penny Ha'penny, by Beckside Little Toff out of Rotherwood Pennywise. The pony was bred by Liz Mansfield and led by Annabelle's mother, Nicola.

Annabelle has been on top form this season with ten wins in the North-East, including Durham County, Ryedale, Borrowby and NCPA Yorkshire, and will be making her debut at the Horse of the Year Show after finishing second at the Scottish Horse Show, Kelso.

Ha'penny was bought from Carol Hillyard in March and collected a fourth in the lead rein and two eighth placings at the BSPS Summer Championships.

North-East rider Lauren Bell won two first ridden classes at the Elite Championships with Haighend Chardonnay, besides a mini championship and a reserve.

Chardonnay, a five-year-old by Lechlade Quince, was a winner at Great Yarmouth and will also be competing at the Horse of the Year Show.

Hannah Atkinson from Stokesley was runner-up in the Mountain and Moorland first ridden riding Pat Dorman and Philippa Porley's Aislaby Carmen.

The latter won the novice lead rein and reserve champion at Ponies UK.

Hannah will be riding Glenwood Dancing Spring at the Horse of the Year Show, a pony qualified by Jessica Field at Border Union.

Hannah's brother Joshua had a third with Dryfed Sceptres Song at the Elite and won the Nureyev lead rein champion of champions at Ponies UK summer championships.

Jessica Field was third in the show hunter sports horse in-hand with Barrdene Mr Valentine, while Great Busby rider April Hugill had a second in the part-bred Arab on Basford Sandalwood.