A PROMISING young horse rider has made a big leap forward in the world of showjumping.

Katy Jackson, 14 beat the best teenage riders from across the country to win the British Junior Showjumping Championship.

Katy, and her horse, Griffin, a rose-grey gelding, went clear in both rounds over different courses in the finals, staged by the British Riding Club, at Lincoln showground.

It put them through to a tense jump-off with 17 other combinations, from the 120-strong starting field, who had also gone clear in both rounds.

Katy was drawn to go sixth in the jump-off and again went clear, in a quick time of 42.4 seconds.

It gave her and proud parents, Alan and Ros, a nervous wait to watch the remaining 12 competitors.

But none came within five seconds of Katy's time and she stepped up to win the first prize silver salver, while Griffin received a sash and rosette, despite misbehaving at the prize-giving ceremony.

Mr Jackson said: "He's a very intelligent horse, and behaved impeccably during the competition, but he would not stand still during the presentation to receive his sash and rosette.

"Katy has only had him since last December, because she had outgrown previous horses.

"Although they have only been together for eight months, they seem to form an excellent partnership."

Griffin is stabled at Low Cocken Farm, near Durham, and he and Katy come together regularly for practice under the direction of experienced coach Phillipa McKeever, at Old Mill House, in Houghton-le-Spring.

Katy, of Ryhope, near Sunderland, is a pupil at the city's St Anthony's RC School.

She has been riding from the age of eight, mostly in local Pony Club competitions, and won through to the Lincoln finals from one of 23 regional heats, staged at Hedley West, near Consett, County Durham.