A YOUNG show jumper from the Culm Valley has avoided surgery which could have prevented her ever riding again.

Lauren Allanson-Bailey, 14, from Kentisbeare, near Cullompton, suffers from scoliosis, which causes excessive sideways curvature of the spine.

Specialists had told her that a major operation, which involved inserting metal rods to fuse her vertebrae together, was the only option.

A solid section of spine would leave limited flexibility in Lauren's back, making riding dangerous or even impossible.

But after an intense four-week programme of tailored exercises with Scoliosis SOS, a specialist clinic in Suffolk, Lauren is riding again.

A student at Maynard School for Girls, Exeter, Lauren found the alternative treatment to be very effective and the clinic say an operation will not now be necessary.

Her mother, Carolyne, said the family have tried not to make a "big issue" out of the situation and is proud that Lauren "has taken it in her stride" since diagnosis in April 2008.

Mrs Allanson-Bailey said: "They wanted to fuse 10 of her vertebrae, which when you think she only has 17, is quite a lot. Surgery would have also affected her growth.

"Now, though, she can continue competing — she's at quite a high standard.

"She competes with the BSJA (British Show Jumping Association) and is also a member of the Pony Club, and enters events throughout the South West.

"She was supposed to be competing at a big event last Thursday, but unfortunately, her pony is out of action with a damaged knee — we'd just got one thing right and the other has gone wrong!"

Scoliosis affects sufferers in a number of ways and can start at various positions on the spinal column with curving in either direction. Lauren's condition is isolated at the top of her spine with curving to the right.

Mrs Allanson-Bailey said Lauren returns to the clinic every three months so experts can monitor her condition and alter the exercise programme accordingly.

As well as rigorous exercises, Lauren learned at the clinic how to correct her posture in everyday activities and how her spine was working, which she said helped her understand the condition.

Her mother added: "Everybody's scoliosis is different and it can either be located high or in the middle, lower down, or to the left or right.

"It was in November and December that she spent four weeks in Suffolk and she is doing fine now. Lauren was spending six hours a day doing the exercises, which was very tiring and an awful lot for her to take on.

"She now has to do specific exercises for 45 minutes a day, which is an intense and on-going thing, but once she has finished growing she can lessen the time she spends on it but she will have to do it for the rest of her life.

It is helping to combat the curve which is now under control."

To get more information on Scoliosis SOS, call 0330 440 1808.