Local rider Jane Tomlinson from Hewish has qualified for the Horse of the Year Show to be held in October at the Birmingham NEC.

JANE Tomlinson from Hewish, near Weston, took first place in the working hunter class at the South Essex Insurance Broker’s (SEIB) Search for a Star qualifier, held at Summerhouse Equestrian Centre in Gloucestershire.

Riding her horse, Chocolate Ripple, Jane fought off stiff competition from other riders in the class to gain qualification for the Horse of The Year Show.

Jane bred Chocolate Ripple herself, and said: “He was the colour of Bournville chocolate when he came out, he went grey later,” explained a delighted Jane. “I wanted to breed a 15.2 horse that would be easy to get on and off as I got older, but the grass must have been good because he just kept growing,”, she added.

Jane, who was accompanied by her friend, neighbour and chief supporter, Victoria Lance, went on: “Victoria has given me so much encouragement. She does the horses when I am away and has plaited him this morning.”

Victoria rides Chocolate Ripple’s dam, Tropical Wave, who is now 22 and retired, but still very well and enjoying hacking out. Jane and Chocolate Ripple have already had success this year, winning the novice working hunter at the Bath and West Show, and the pair also do some affiliated show jumping and go hunting through the winter.

“I really want to thank my neighbour, Venitia Kenny Herbert who lets me use her arena and Jayne Smart, who gives me lessons,” added Jane.

“Both of my sons ride Ripple, he is just a thoroughly nice all-round horse. We decided to do some show hunter classes as it was more interesting than doing dressage, and it turns out he is quite good at it.

“He was dragged out of the field at 4am this morning. I am so thrilled, he deserves it, we have done everything, and everything he is, is down to us,” said Jane, a retired school secretary.

Jane and Chocolate Ripple will compete at the South Essex Insurance Brokers Search for a Star Championship finals at the Horse of the Year Show, between October 8-12, at the Birmingham NEC.