POLAM Hall School pupil Laura Robinson has been proving her worth as a pony show jumper recently.

The Potto 13-year-old joined many of the most promising young riders in the country at the 2008 Blue Chip Show Jumping Championships, staged at Hartpury College in Gloucestershire and drawing huge entries keen to take home a national title.

Laura was in action in the Kitt Kraiburg Junior Discovery Championship, on her 13.1hh roan pony Orlando XI who, at just six, was one of the youngest - and smallest - ponies in the class.

"There was a big entry of 100 in the championship, which was held over three rounds, and just 12 made the final jump-off," said Laura's father Neal Robinson.

"The course wasn't overly big but it had a good mix of fences. Laura was drawn second from last and only one pony had gone clear went she went in."

The teenager took the lead but the very last rider in just got up to beat her time by a fraction of a second, to leave Laura in the runners-up spot.

"Laura has really gone to get a triple clear so was delighted to finish second - Orlando was a little superstar,"

added Mr Robinson.

"They also got into the third round of the step higher newcomers final, but had one fence down in the jumpoff to finish 11th."

The pair have qualified for the Winter 138cms pony championship at this July's Royal International Horse Show, staged at the renowned at Hickstead Showground, in Sussex.

"Laura is jumping seven ponies at the moment, but Orlando is the best of her 138 cms rides and has won about £1,000 in the last 11 months,"

Mr Robinson said.

"She's also qualified her full up 138 cms pony Iouar Giorgio for the Winter JC, for novices, at Hickstead."

Sister Beth, 11, is also showing all the hallmarks of a successful show jumper and has qualified Red Hot Patootie for the Winter 128 cms final at Hickstead.