THORNABY 11-year-old Yasmin Tanfield was a double winner at the 2008 Pony of the Year Show.

The four day show, which took place in the impressive main arena at the Unex Towerlands International venue in Essex, is the early season highlight for junior riders. It attracts show jumpers aged 16 or under from across the British Isles, and offers some of the most generous prizes in pony jumping.

Yasmin, a pupil at Red House School, who is also a promising tennis player, began with two seconds in two 128cms championships, for riders aged 12 or under, on her diminutive little partner Silver Wonder.

The show, shown on Sky TV on the Horse and Country channel, attracted around 50 ponies in each 128cms class with the best the country can offer competing over some strong technical courses.

Yasmin then stepped up a gear with her bigger 138cms pony Wakeley's Foxhunter, her ride of just a few months. The pair won the Small Grand Prix and then headed the 138cms Grand Prix, seeing off some far more experienced combinations.

"It was wet and very cold at the show but we had a brilliant time - there's always a great atmosphere there and it's the second year Yasmin has been," said mum and former international show jumper Joanna Tanfield.

"She was also awarded a BSJA scholarship, which covers training and equipment I believe, so the trip was well worthwhile."

Her cousin Pippa Allen, the 2007 Pony European team gold medallist who is also based at the family-run Stainsby Grange Riding Centre at Thornaby, picked up several good placings.

The 14-year-old finished second in the 148cms leading rider award with her European partner Spot the Lady, who was fifth in the main 148cms Grand Prix.

She also gained a second in a Small Grand Prix, a second on her Restricted Championship ride Little Ryan, and fourth in the JC Novice Grand Prix on the up and coming seven-year-old Farouk van de Schanshoeve.

Younger sister Millie Allen, ten, and competing on 128cms ponies, earned a third and a fourth.

Pippa, who will again be chasing a place on the British team at the Pony European Championships, has had her JA string strengthened with the arrival of the bay pony stallion Indian de Here, previously jumped by William Whitaker.

She will head to the first in a series of Pony Trials', held at the Wales and West Showground at the beginning of May and designed to give British selectors a chance to assess potential team riders' form, with both this pony and Spot the Lady.

Lowri Ball, who stables her pony Forever Blue at Stainsby Grange, was also in good form at the Pony of the Year Show, where she headed the Junior Intro Championship class on the opening day.