TALENTED dressage rider Calum Whitworth came a step closer to achieving his Olympic dream after scooping a prestigious national title.

Calum, who is based in Broadway, rode RamazottiIII, a German-bred gelding by Rubin Royal, to head the Charles Owen Advanced Medium Restricted Championship with 69.91 per cent, more than two per cent ahead of his nearest rival, at the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships at Hartpury in Gloucestershire.

This was the second championship victory in 12 months for Calum and his exciting nine-year-old bay – they also won the medium restricted at the summer national championships at Stoneleigh last September.

“I’m really proud of him,” said Calum. “He took it on and enjoyed himself. He’s such a good horse, he makes it easy for me.”

Calum, who is based with international rider Peter Storr, bought Ramazotti two years ago from his former employer, Caroline Saynor. He has, however, ridden the horse since he was a hot prospect four-year-old.

“He’s a strong character and goey but I know him inside out,” said Calum.

“He’s established at the level now so I can steer him and don’t have to work so hard. He’s progressing well and ready for prix st georges.

“We’ll do a PSG in a month or so, consolidate at that level, then push on from there. He’s a great long-term hope for me.”

Calum’s dream is to represent Great Britain at the Olympic Games but isn’t sure whether he will be ready for Rio.

“It would be great to compete at Rio but my first aim is to get the horses to grand prix level which is international level and will take us all over the world.

Calum has been training as a dressage rider since he was 17 when he moved from his home in Yorkshire to work for Storr.

Held at Hartpury Arena earlier this month, the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships is the culmination of the British Dressage winter competition season.

Almost 800 competitors rode over the five days of competition to decide national championships at 40 different levels from preliminary to intermediate I