SHOWJUMPER Sarah Wardle has been selected to take part in a sponsorship scheme aimed at helping her pursue her dream in the sport.

The 24-year-old rider has been selected for Leg Up For Talent and is now calling for supporters to help her secure an all-important sponsorship deal.

Sarah, from Wroughton, has been riding horses and ponies since she was just 10 years old, but may have to give up the sport if she does not secure funding.

She will need support from a variety of sponsors in order to help fund her competitive endeavours in what is an expensive sport.

“Riding horses and keeping horses and show jumping is obviously a very expensive pursuit, and Leg Up For Talent is a scheme which helps keep riders in the saddle by introducing them to sponsors,” she said.

“It’s an expensive sport and the scheme aims to help people who can’t afford to do it without their help.”

And she said people could help by boosting her social media profile, which is key to attracting sponsorship.

“The idea is that I do my best to raise my profile in the area and get as many likes on my Facebook page as I can.

“Once I’ve done this, Leg Up For Talent can put me in touch with sponsors who can help me to continue showjumping.”

“People who are selected for the scheme have to be able to display a variety of characteristics, like talent, leadership and commitment to the sport.

“I’m on the SponsorMeDirect programme which uses social media to help raise your profile and puts you in touch with sponsors.

“What I have to do is to raise as much awareness as possible about me and about what I am doing so people are aware of me.”

Sarah regularly takes part in showjumping competitions with her horse, Georgie, named because she was born on St George’s Day.

“I love showjumping and I love horses, it’s just such a great passion of mine,” she said.

“I just want to be able to keep doing it.

“I love the adrenalin rush and it’s just a lot of fun.

“To help make my dream become a reality, all you have to do is like my Facebook page, Sarah Wardle Showjumping, to show your support.”

As part of her campaign, Sarah is also running a competition on her Facebook page, with the prize being a horse trailer.

To find out more about Sarah or to show your support and like her page, visit www.facebook.com/Sarahwardleshowjumping.