FIFTEEN riders from a disabled riding school have qualified for a national horse riding championship.

The competitors, who all ride at Riding for the Disabled Association's (RDA) Unicorn Centre at Hemlington, in Middlesbrough, now have to find funding so they can attend the RDA national championships at Hartpury College, in Gloucester, next month.

The Unicorn Centre has set up a fundraising appeal to find sponsors to fund the finalists, ponies and their support team. Transport for riders, instructors, volunteer helpers and the ponies all need to be found, as well as funding for hotel accommodation, food, riding attire and new tack.

Ya rd manager Heidi Hutchinson said: "This is a fantastic achievement for our riders. We are thrilled to have beaten our previous record.

"Our riders have been attending regular dressage clinics with instructor Kay Brandon and their hard work has really paid off."

Heats were held at the Unicorn Centre for the Pony and Rider Countryside Challenge competition last month, with riders competing from RDA groups within the Yorkshire and Cleveland region.

Four riders from the Unicorn Centre qualified for this section at Hartpury and 11 qualified for the dressage section at another selection stage.

Anybody wanting to make a donation is asked to call the centre as soon as possible on 01642-576222.