Essex teenager Claudia Moore completed a brilliant double at the TheraPlateUK Liverpool International Horse Show on Saturday.
The 14-year-old, who lives near Brentwood, won the Liverpool International 148cms Championship, sponsored by Carden Arms.
And in doing so, she repeated her victory of 12 months ago in the same class, completing a memorable 2018.
Claudia was a member of Great Britain’s gold medal-winning team at the Pony European Championships this summer, when she also claimed individual bronze.
And she carried that form with her to the Echo Arena, emerging triumphant by more than four seconds after six combinations contested the jump-off.
Scottish challenger Shaunie Greig, a prolific winner on the pony circuit this year, had one fence down aboard Casino Royale VIII, and Claudia followed her into the arena, clocking 31.49 seconds on the 10-year-old mare Delflip.
And it was a time that proved too much for her challengers, with Lila Bremner – daughter of the television impressionist Rory Bremner, who was among the audience – going closest aboard Lapislazuli.
Anoushka Mauree, riding Miami Moonbeam, finished third, with Shaunie and Casino Royale VIII fourth and Jake Myers and Razorlite II fifth.
Reflecting on her victory, Claudia said:
“It was the most nerve-wracking experience. I won this class last year, and I really wanted to come first again and make it two years in a row.
“She has been such a lovely pony for me. She tries so hard for you.
“I didn’t watch Shaunie’s round in the jump-off because I knew I would change my round if I watched it. I knew she would be extremely fast, so it was just about doing my own thing and sticking to what to what I was going to do.
“There were people to jump after me who are big competitors, so I was nervous as to whether or not my time would be quick enough.
“This is one of the most amazing shows. Nina Barbour does such a good job with everything, and I am really honoured to be able to jump here in that amazing arena.”
