A NORTH Yorkshire woman has reaped the rewards of finally taking her skewbald horse to a national championship.

Earlier this month, Linda Steel of Newby Wiske and 15hh Wally Stag were placed overall reserve in the small ridden horse at the Coloured Horse and Pony Society (CHAPS) championships in Cheshire.

Mrs Steel dislikes driving any distance and when Wally has qualified for other important shows she has been content just to rest on his laurels and stay at home.

This year, egged on by staff at Thornton le Beans equestrian centre, where Wally has a livery, she decided to make a special effort.

In June, he qualified for the Royal International at Hickstead, but contracted a mild virus and was unable to go.

He bounced back in August in time to qualify for the CHAPS show.

Supported by her friend Melanie Behrensmeier, Mrs Steel made the five-and-a-half hour journey, arriving to find they had to compete in yet another qualifying preliminary round.

Wally was one of eight entrants chosen to go forward to the gala evening performance, where the horses were urged on by an enthusiastic crowd.

The results were announced in a nail-biting reverse order and Wally Stag took the reserve place, an emotional moment for both women.

"To be in the top two in this elite championship is a moment I'll cherish forever," said Mrs Steel. "But I don't think I will be doing it again. Once was enough."

The skewbald was bought as a five-month-old foal for her middle son, Jonathon, who did compete with some success until he left home at 16 to become a professional rugby player.

Now 22, he plays for Glasgow and has five Scottish international caps. Recently he was selected for the Scottish World Cup training squad