Alice Weightman has qualified for the Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead.
The 10-year-old from Farnley Tyas will ride the Working Hunter Pony Nursery Stakes at the showpiece event in West Sussex in August.
Alice – who attends The Mount School in Huddersfield – has been riding since she was three and will partner the pony she has had for three years, Stockham Penelope (known as Penny).
Her involvement comes exactly 30 years after her mother, Clare, took part in the same final at the Royal International when it was held at the NEC in Birmingham, so it will be a proud moment for both of them when the competition is held on Sunday, August 4.
“Alice is very excited that she’s got through and will be riding at Hickstead, especially as she has brought the pony on herself and done all the hard work,” said Clare.
“She has put in a lot of hard work, having showjumping lessons with Louise Redfearn and also dressage tuition at the Moody’s at Gunthwaite, and she’s a member of the Rockwood Harriers Pony Club.”
Sponsored by Longines, the Royal International is the official horse show of The British Horse Society. Having celebrated its centenary in 2007, it’s now been running for 106 years and one of the oldest horse shows in the world.
The highlight of the Sunday competition, when Alice will be taking part in her event after qualifying at Somerford Park, is the King George V Gold Cup.
In the International Arena, there will be seven presentations on that day, including the popular Underwood Supreme Pony Championship and the BHS Supreme Horse Championship.
