It took six-and-a-half hours to drive 10-year-old Tegan Ford and her pony from North Yorkshire to West Sussex for a one-minute ride, but it was well worth it.

The long journey was to Hickstead - home of the famous derby that attracts the world's elite showjumpers - and mother, Sarah, didn't want her daughter to miss the experience of taking part in the National Schools Equestrian Association event.

Tegan and her 18-year-old pony, called Lilly Hill Make My Day, had earned their place by winning a qualifying competition at Northallerton Equestrian Centre.

They represented Grewelthorpe Primary School in the county showjumping class over fences measuring 70-75cm.

The event, for riders up to the age of 12, attracted 30 entries and Tegan was the only representative from the north.

She and her bright bay pony with four nimble white feet, completed a clear round over 12 fences, but her left foot slipped out of the stirrup at the sixth obstacle and the lost seconds meant they finished a very creditable fourth.

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As well as the journey down to Hickstead, there was another six and a half hour drive back to Yorkshire after an overnight stay down south.

Ms Ford, who drove the hired horsebox, told the Stray Ferret:

Tegan has won more than 50 rosettes since she started riding at the age of six and last year collected a prize of £100 for winning a Show Cross competition at Richmond Equestrian Centre,

She was due to take part in the same event this weekend and her bright bay Sox, looks fit and raring to go.