A COUNTY Durham breeder saw her recently purchased yearling pony voted star of the north at the weekend.

Clare Merrigan-Martin, who lives at Stainton near Barnard Castle, is well known in equestrian circles for her success with her skewbald Merrigan, who gained top points in his section at the Horse of the Year show last year and was named supreme champion at Hickstead.

Her latest acquisition, Brookfarm Heaven Scent, was bought from a private breeder in Suffolk about two months ago and was practically unhandled.

But she covered herself in glory on her first outing at the British Skewbald and Piebald Northern Festival of Showing, held at Bishop Burton College at Beverley.

She took the yearling class and two others against older horses before going on to win the championship, beating the winners of 11 other classes. She was then named Overall Best in Show Star of the North.

"I am so proud of her, it is a magnificent result for a yearling pony," said Mrs Merrigan-Martin. "We bought her to show and to breed from as her sire has won some big titles, but for her to win so soon for us is tremendous."