KENNFORD rider Wendy Gibson has won the chance to compete at the prestigious Horse of the Year Show next month.

Gibson will compete in the Racehorse to Riding Horse class of the world-famous tournament after coming top in the qualifier at Wellington Equestrian Centre in Hampshire.

Riding Caroline Cowlard's Fast Mix, the Devon jumper fought off competition from 21 other riders to take top spot and secure a place in the main event.

She will now travel to the Birmingham NEC for the elite competition, which will take place between October 6 to 10. Ride judge Sam Fisher said: "All of the horses gave me nice rides — people have worked so hard to re-school them."

Fast Mix was a former Martin Pipe racehorse who won five races and was placed eight times in 31 starts on the flat and over hurdles, before being bought by Cowlard three years ago and produced for showing.

The championship was initiated to support ex-racehorses and to encourage recognition of their abilities in the show ring.

Conformation judge Janet Holder said: "It is really nice to see these horses here as they are given a second life. The turnout in this class was also very high this year."

See your Echo sport next week for details of Mary King in action at the Burghley Horse Trials.