TEENAGER rider Abbie Ellison put in a stellar showing at the Pony of the Year Show as she came runner-up in her class at Bury Farm Equestrian Club in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, over Easter.

Riding her horse Miss Meckenheim Megan in the Introductory Grand Prix class, 14-year-old Ellison was pipped at the post to victory as she was edged out in the final jump-off.

Ellison, who is a member of the Johnathan Bowman Showjumping Academy, has only been training at British Showjumping standard since last summer, so her achievement marks a rapid rise to success.

Her mother, Sara, explained: “There were two qualifying rounds, with 110 in Abbie’s class competing for 20 qualifying spots, and she only just squeezed through in 20th.

“The next round was a bit of disaster and we didn’t hold much hope going into the Grand Prix but she performed amazingly and was one of 17 riders to go jump clear.

“She then did really well in the jump-off and she was only beaten by about half-a-second in the end, and ended up second in her class.

“I am so proud of her - her hard work and dedication has made this dream come true.”