HAY-on-Wye rider Charlotte Drake has achieved a career ambition by qualifying her horse Overture for the regional finals of the British Dressage Freestyle to Music' at Carmarthen.

Drake and Overture, known as Stripey due to his white face, qualified riding to a compilation of Russ Conway's music.

"I have been trying to qualify for three years so I am relieved to have managed it in the end," said Drake who also qualified in 2004 only to be forced to withdraw after a fall from her son's horse.

"I was devastated - I had wrapped Stripey up in the proverbial cotton wool, as I was afraid he might injure himself, and then it was me who was damaged."

In dressage to music classes, riders design their own floor pattern, which must include some compulsory movements, and then choose music to suit their horse.

Marks are awarded for technical and artistic merit so innovative choreography and appropriate music are very important.

"I love freestyle classes," said Drake. "You can't get too serious when you are trotting along to Russ Conway and the music helps the competition nerves from which we both suffer.

"When everything goes well and the horse relaxes into the rhythm and we both start to enjoy ourselves, it is a really great feeling."