A NORTH Yorkshire schoolgirl has added being a National School’s Champion to her growing list of equestrian accolades.

Twelve-year-old Emily Worsdale, an accomplished rider from Hunton near Bedale attends SFX School in Richmond and has been in the saddle since she was two. After competing in the National School’s Equestrian Association last month’s at Keysoe in Bedfordshire she won the Individual Dressage Championship Preliminary Level. Representing her school she rode a pony owned by Mrs Mary Moberley: “Sonnet to Shannon”.

This latest victory comes on top of winning the National School’s Equestrian Association individual championship at the 95 Arena event at Hickstead. For this she rode her friend Lucy Barker’s pony ‘Marmite’. In September in the Junior 90 Show Jumping Championship at Lincoln as part of the 3 Valleys Riding Club team, won the Riding Club Championship again on Marmite coming third, individually.

Also in August riding for Bedale and West of Yore Pony Club, Emily was Reserve Champion for Novice Dressage at the Pony Club National Championships held at Chomondeley Castle, Cheshire; this time riding Sonnet to Shannon.

Her mother Louise Worsdale who as every sporting parent knows, success does not come easily. She said: “Emily works really hard to fit in her riding with her school work.

“She has had an amazing season so far, including some eventing which she sees as her future direction.”