Clear rounds as riders aim to be champions

A TEAM of young riders from Huddersfield have won through to a national final.

The four riders from Holme Valley Riding Club swept all before them in the regional heats of the British Riding Club's indoor showjumping competition.

The team completed two circuits of the tough course at Willoughby Hill Farm, near Hull, with clear rounds - the only one of 10 teams to do so.

Now they are heading for the national championships, which take place at Hartbury College, Gloucester, on April 3.

Hopefully, there will be a lot of supporters from the club to cheer on the riders, Abigail Muscroft, 14, Rebecca Vale, 16, and sisters Sarah, 15, and Natalie Noble, 12.

The Holme Valley club, which is affiliated to the British Horse Society, is based at Wood Nook in Honley and has been going since 1967.

Club chairman Jann Crosland said: "Since then, we have won the junior novice title twice before, so the girls are going for a hat-trick.

"We were delighted with their performances at Hull, especially being the only team to have clear rounds.

"We also have a junior team through to the finals of the hunter championships in May - so there will be a lot of training between now and the spring," she added.