WORCESTERSHIRE young riders Katherine Worrall and Amy Furness have secured places in the second stage of a national show jumping championship.

The duo were competing in a Dengie Pony Club Winter League first round qualifier staged at Hartpury College near Gloucester and organised by the Cotswold Vale Farmers Hunt branch.

Katherine, 14 and a pupil at Prince Henry's High in Evesham, came out top from a big field. She led a jump-off of over 10 ponies on her 14.1hh bay gelding Tiber, riding for the Croome Hunt Pony Club.

"Katherine was drawn early and led all the way -- she ended up winning by several seconds," said mum Anne Worrall. "She was pleased, as it was her first time in a Dengie qualifier."

Katherine, who is also a member of Cropthorne Riding Club, is now starting to jump her mother's horse Emily as well.

Broadway-based Amy Furness finished second on her 13.2hh bay pony Gorgeous Gordon and, at 11, was one of the younger contenders.

"Amy has had a few attempts in the Dengie before, so was glad to qualify this time," said her mother Christine Furness.

"She jumped a good double clear and cut a few corners in the jump-off. Amy has had Gorgeous Gordon on loan for four years now and she's a member of the North Cotswold Pony Club."

The pair now go on to the Dengie Winter League regional final at Gracelands Equestrian Centre, Elmbridge, on the first weekend in March.

This is one of 19 regional finals held across the British Isles and the top four in each make the national final, at Warwickshire College, in early April.

Joining them in the regional final will be another North Cotswold Pony Club hopeful, Lizzie Byrne.

The Cleeve Prior teenager, also a pupil at Prince Henry's School, won a first round qualifier at Gracelands on her pony Sideshow Bob last month.

Albrighton Hunt Pony Club's Lucy Crane finished second to Lizzie, riding Too Fair, and joins her in the second stage.