NORTHALLERTON-BASED Hannah Mousley was among 24 of the country’s best amateur riders in action at the annual British Open Show Jumping Championships, in the lofty surroundings of the NEC, in Birmingham.

It was the first year the British Open Amateur Championship had taken place at the prestigious show, which also runs top-flight international show jumping and the British Open Indoor Cross Country competition.

Amateur riders had come through eight qualifying rounds, held at major equestrian centres across Britain, and the competition was set to be fierce.

That certainly proved to be the case, with 19 riders going clear in the first round to make a lightning timed jump-off.

Among them were Mousley, the 22-year-old whose family home is at Dalton Gates, and the 16.2hh bay stallion Temple Croesus.

“I was ninth to go against the clock and went in just after Cumbrian rider Nicky Jennings, who won the class,” explained Mousley. “I managed to take a stride out between fences one and two but there was a big vertical at the top of the arena, where I was slightly cautious.

“I was fractionally down on Nicky’s time at that stage but again managed to take a stride out coming to the last – it wasn’t quite enough though and I ended up a close second.”

Mousley put her success largely down to her trainer Paul Barker, who rode Temple Croesus internationally in the past.

“Paul told me what I had to do and I followed his instructions,”

said Mousley. “I was really pleased with my horse – he jumped so well and had his ears pricked all the way – he really enjoyed being back in the big show atmosphere.”

Paul Barker was in action in the international classes at the British Open on his new ride, the grey mare Anderida Anica, who is still quite green.

The pair were fourth on day two in the main British Open qualifying competition, seventh in the Puissance and tenth in the Midland Masters, as well as finishing fifth in the national PCA Futura final. Paul was also eighth in the British Speed Stakes on temple Ryefield.

Nicola Wilson won a muchvalued award at the 2009 Rolex Kentucky three-day event, after making the long trip with her top ride Opposition Buzz.

The Morton-on-Swale 32- year old was one of five Britishbased riders to cross the Atlantic to what is the biggest three-day event staged in the USA, on a par with Britain’s four star Badminton and Burghley competitions.

She was up against some of the world’s finest riders but her chances of a top place looked in doubt after the opening dressage phase when Opposition Buzz was lying in 26th place, nearly 26 marks off the leader.

However the horse rallied superbly on the daunting cross country course, where he jumped one of just nine clears inside the optimum time to move into 15th, with the final show jumping phase to come.

Another faultless performance in this moved the duo – one of only four to finish on their dressage score - into a highly creditable 11th place.

They also received the Best Conditioned Award, a true testament to Nicola’s training and preparation.