A YOUNG county rider is celebrating after the first championship win of her career.

Hannah Tolley, from South Herefordshire, took part in the Pony Club's Winter League finals at David Broome's Event Yard and came away with the 2.3ft title.

Hannah, who qualified last year at Allenshill Livery, was competing on two ponies, 22-year-old chestnut Duke of Haley and 17-year-old New Forest pony Portmore Pete.

On the 2.6ft course, Hannah and Pete had a fall in the first round but by the time of the final day of the three-day competition, the pair were just one spot out of the placings when they had to withdraw due to an injury to Pete's mouth.

On the first day on Duke, Hannah came in third of the 31 entries and, after an eighth place in a speed class on the second day, they flew round clear in a good time in the final stage one to establish them as one of the favourites to win the title.

Second place in the speed class on the final morning kept up the pair's momentum for the final stage two.

"Duke was going strong and I had a really good feeling he was going to do well for me," said Hannah.

And her hopes were realised when second place in the jump-off earned them the overall title.