YOUNG Ilkley rider Zoe Newsham has qualified for the Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead.

Zoe, nine, from Denton, recently won the British Show Pony Society's open nursery stakes class at Birchingly Manor.

The Moorfield School pupil has been riding since she was six years old and competed at shows in the area until last year when she started to enter BSPS and Ponies UK classes around the north of the country.

The talented rider competes mainly at working hunter pony classes and some show hunter classes.

Having competed during the winter to qualify for both the BSPS and Ponies UK winter championships, she decided in March to try for the Royal International Horse Show at the nursery stakes.

The event, the top competition of its class in the country, is open to riders up to 12 years old and ponies up to 133cms.

At the first qualifier in Keysoe, Northants, she was second and in the second qualifier at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern, she was placed first with a score of 97 out of 100.

lTHE first show of the year for Ilkley and District Riding Association is due to take place on Sunday.

The pre season show at Nell Bank, Denton Road, Ilkley, is sure to attract riders from across the area keen to compete following last year's cancellation of many shows because of the foot and mouth epidemic.

The show, due to start at 9.30am, will include jumping, showing, working hunter and gymkhana classes.

As a pre-season show, no points will be awarded. A BSJA Show will be held on Sunday, May 5. Points shows will be held on May 19, June 16, July 21, August 18 and September 15.