THE Clifton on Teme Pony Club came up trumps at one of the most important interbranch competitions, the area 9 mini horse trials on Sunday.

Held at Sheppards Farm, Chiseldon, Nr Swindon more than 100 riders aged 12 and under from 23 pony club teams fought to win this prestigious event.

Area 9 comprises many of the most successful pony club teams in the UK and is the stepping stone for young riders towards national and international eventing, all the past members of the British eventing teams started in pony club.

Although the underdogs, the Clifton team swept all before them to win, for the first time ever, the team event on a score of 106.1 penalties, over the Beaufort (115.2) and the hosts, the VWH (139.3)

The team comprised Kirsten James (aged 12), racehorse trainer Simon Sherwood's daughter Anna Sherwood (12), Grace Thomas (10) and Georgie Toole (10)

Georgie Toole won her section on the former HOYS working hunter pony Turton Kitty Fisher, bred in Bosbury and now an amazing 26-year-old. Grace Thomas on Snorter was second in her section whilst Anna Sherwood on Ketchup finished fourth in hers, the combined low penalty marks enabling them victory.

The standard of the riders was very high and the course was extremely testing and tricky with one fence in particular causing immense problems, but following team trainer Sue Holloway's advice, the girls produced the necessary clear rounds to clinch victory.