MALVERN 14-year-old Zoe Kennedy Hughes came close to an outstanding double at the Royal Bath and West Show in Somerset.

The Chase High School pupil was among the competitors in the show jumping championships.

Riders from throughout the Midlands, Wales and the south west had been competing in qualifying rounds for the classes over the winter.

Kennedy Hughes reached two pony finals with the 14.2hh dun Nyton Mister Mistofolos.

They went ahead despite wet conditions that led to some of the show jumping classes being cancelled.

"Zoe went into the first final, the Thurlestone Hotels Junior JC Championship, saying she'd just jump the first few fences and if her pony didn't like the conditions she'd pull out," explained her mother Lisa Hughes. "He jumped really well though and they were one of just four to go clear."

The pair had the penultimate draw in the jump-off and jumped a quick round, although a pole off the last fence left them on an unlucky four faults. This was good enough to take the lead with just last year's winner, Swindon-based Tom Restorick, to go.

"I think Tom was quietly confident he'd win but he had a pole off the third fence and couldn't beat the time, so Zoe held onto first place," said her mother. "The arena was on a slope and this was a bit slippy due to the weather, so no-one went clear."

Kennedy Hughes then contested the step higher Thurlestone Hotels Junior Open Championship and was drawn last in a jump-off that again just four ponies could reach.

"Zoe was competing against more experienced JA ponies in this class and wasn't expecting to win," Hughes said. "She was drawn last and just had one down again in a time that was good enough for a very pleasing second place."

Kennedy Hughes, trained by Malvern-based Sophie Hooper and partner Bryan Smith, proved her versatility at the City of Swansea Show.

She was competing in a Mountain and Moorland working hunter pony showing class, again on the talented Nyton Mister Mistofolos.

"The class was a qualifier for the Horse of the Year Show -- only the winner qualified and Zoe finished second, so she just missed out," her mother added. "She will try again to qualify for this though."