SUE Todd, 41, from Appleton Wiske, near Northallerton, has swopped her riding boots for running shoes to enter tomorrow's Great North Run.

Sue usually takes part in competitive long distance riding with her horse, Phantom, but because of foot-and-mouth, most of this year's events have been cancelled. She is doing the half marathon to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

"Training for the13 mile run has been hard work," she said. "I've never done anything like it before. I've used a lot of the lessons I've learned from training Phantom to compete at distances of up to 60 miles, but knowing I'm doing it for a good cause has kept me going."

Other colleagues from the Thirsk-based Guidance Enterprises Group, which provides careers advice in North Yorkshire, are taking part in the run to raise money for charity.

Laurayne Featherstone is running for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, Freddie Brougham for the Breast Cancer campaign and Amanda Scott for Children with Leukaemia.

Lucy's double success

LUCY Bulmer riding Mrs Mary McGowan's Benridge Sparkler won the open section of the Yuill Homes North-East Elementary championship. Having the best score of the day made her the overall winner.

The partnership was also a runner-up at the Moor House North East Medium championship.

Next week Lucy is heading for Stoneleigh having qualified her young horse for the trailblazers final.

She runs her business from home in Maunby, near Thirsk, and is working towards her BHS II exam.

Turn-out prize

ROBYNNE Watton, from Middleham, received £100 after winning the best turned-out horse award for Falcon Hill, who ran in the Gerrard Eglinton Nursery Stakes at York last month.

Robynne has worked at Mark Johnston's Kingsley House stables for ten years.