YOUNG Worcestershire showjumper Lily Dean jumped to victory in the Squibb Group Pony Foxhunter second round in Devon.

The 14-year-old from Mathon, near Malvern, on her mother Rose’s 14-year-old bay gelding Mister Seamus, won the event held as part of the Pony Premier Show at Bicton Arena, Budleigh Salterton.

Competition was fierce for the three direct qualifying places on offer for the championship final at the Horse of the Year Show.

Of the 28 starters, six made it through into the final jump-off and three secured a treble clear.

Building on her good run of form in rounds one and two of the class, Dean produced yet another clean round to complete her treble clear in 44.14 seconds.

This gave The Chase School pupil a good advantage over her nearest rival.

Second place went to 15-year-old Emma Crawford from Cupar, Fife, and she partnered her mother Lynne’s 12-year-old grey gelding Stars Surprise.

They produced their treble clear early on in the jump-off and their solid performance saw them take their coveted place in the top two in a time of 47.89.

The third and final treble clear was produced by 14-year-old Joseph Fernyhough from Newtown, Powys, and Midnight Milly, a 17-year-old dark bay mare owned by Christopher Biddle.

Their final clear round in a time of 51.59 was enough to ensure them a place in the championship final.

The combinations in fourth and fifth took home the chance to compete in the Squibb Group Pony Foxhunter Masters.

It will be held at the British Showjumping National Championships at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, from August 11 to 16.

The Horse of the Year Show runs from October 7 to 11 at Birmingham’s Genting Arena.