YOUNG equestrians from Worcestershire jumped their way to success at the David Broome Event Centre Showjumping Championship of Great Britain.

The Flying Misfits, made up of Sophie Smith, Vicki Powell, Rebecca Norris and Natasha Smith, came fourth in the event. Chloe Gwilliam, Sarah Surtees, Nile Jones and Sophie Smith came second as the Fab Four.

Sophie Smith's mother, Mandy, said 19 teams from all over the country took part in the event.

"To have two teams from the county placed in the championships shows the skill and determination of the riders involved, especially since there were so many teams taking part," said Mrs Smith.

"Each rider was picked individually before the teams were made up and they have never ridden as a team before, although they know each other from the circuit. All of them are unaffiliated riders under the age of 16."

Mrs Smith is especially proud that her daughter was picked for both teams. She also won one of the warm-up classes at the event, coming home with first, third, two sixth and one 10th places in the individual classes on Welsh section B ponies, Merlin and Royal, that are owned by Sophie's grandparents.

The Bishop Perowne schoolgirl also won two championship classes at the Summerhouse Equestrian Centre Championships at Gloucester.