A STAINLAND girl is hoping to follow family tradition by having a prizewinning national career in horse riding.

Fionn McSharry, 12, made a great start to her ambition by winning the final of the British Car Auctions Competition at Wood Nook arena, Honley.

She now hopes for more success.

The pony showjumping contest was for children aged up to 16.

It involves collecting points from various showjumping events during the summer and has been won by top riders.

Fionn, a pupil at Brooksbank School in Elland, has been riding for two years and showjumping for one year on her pony, Life's High Hopes.

She is coached by Peter Mellor, who owns Wood Nook arena, and Graham Sugden, who owns her pony's home at Outlane.

Fionn said: "I just hope my coaches can help me become a professional in the equestrian world - just like my dad and uncle."

Dad Chris McSharry, a professional National Hunt Jockey during the late 1970s and early 1980s, taught Fionn to ride.

He met his wife, Sally, who also rides, through her brother, Robert Earnshaw, of Killinghall, near Harro- gate.

Mr Earnshaw also had an illustrious career as a National Hunt jockey.

He won the Chelthenham Gold Cup in 1982 on Silver Buck.

He also won the Queen Elizabeth Stakes three years running at Chelthenham on Badsworth Boy.

He is now a Jockey Club steward.

Mr McSharry, who is now BUPA's assistant regional director for northern England and Scotland, said he was proud of Fionn's achievements.

He added: "It has been a passion that she has had since she was a little girl. She is keen to go as far as she can with showjumping.

"She wants to represent her country. She is following in the steps of illustrious people by winning at Wood Nook, so she has made a great start."

Mr McSharry is building an all-weather arena at the family home to help Fionn in her riding. It will also be used by her sister, Megan, 14, who attends Crossley Heath Grammar School in Halifax, and brother Niall, nine, a pupil at Holywell Green Junior School.

Both compete on ponies.