WILTSHIRE rider Chelsea Pearce helped Great Britain to a silver medal at the FEI Pony European Championships in Millstreet, Ireland, despite seeing her own participation in the competition ended early.

The 15 year old, from near Marlborough, was forced out after a fall during Saturday's cross country section of the event when she and horse Catherston Nutsafe, second out on course, tripped going through an unflagged water splash.

Pearce, the daughter of former England international footballer Stuart Pearce, finished 15th at last year's championships, but was forced to cheer her teammates from the sidelines as defending champions Great Britain secured team silver behind France.