LIVING with chronic fatigue syndrome ME, a young Tynedale rider’s eventing career has been beset with challenges.

Unable to summon the energy to prepare the horses before competitions and in bed, exhausted, for two days afterwards, Emi Rowell, who lives near Hedley on the Hill, had to be cautious not to overdo things while competing for the sake of her health.

But the enthusiastic 20-year-old is now rubbing shoulders with Olympic riders as she is fighting fit after starting new treatment a year ago.

Over the past two months, she has finished higher than Olympic silver medallist Zara Phillips at Hopetoun International in Edinburgh, and qualified to participate in the Festival of British Eventing at Princess Anne’s residence at Gatcombe Park, Gloucestershire.

Emi said: “I’ve had ME for 10 years and our horses were the reason I would get out of bed.

“My sister Becca (25) kept everything going and would leave jobs for me, so I knew I had to get up to do it.

“I had a really bad year last year but I underwent new treatment and that has changed everything.

“I can actually look after my horses now and can do a lot more around the place, and I’m managing the illness better.

“When I was competing, I couldn’t do any preparation and for a few days after, I wouldn’t get out of bed. I was always cautious and holding back, thinking ‘the more I put into it, the worse I’m going to be afterwards.’

“I don’t need to be careful any more, and I can now compete and don’t feel any different than anybody else afterwards.

“It’s a real confidence boost and it just feels like all the battling on has been worthwhile.”

The increased confidence is translating into improved results; Emi putting in some excellent performances on her sister’s horse High Silver, known as Rielly, as she moves up to the novice classes.

At Hopetoun, she turned to Rielly to stand in for her injured horse, Zac, and they finished an excellent 29th from a top field of 72.

But her personal highlight was being invited to Gatcombe, where she claimed 15th position.

Emi said : “We got an email to say I had qualified for another championship at Hendersyde Park, but it clashed with Gatcombe and I chose that as it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.

“It took us nine hours to get there and it was non stop, where I did dressage on Saturday then the show jumping and cross country on Sunday.

“It was amazing and I was doing my dressage tests next to Sam Griffiths who won Badminton last year and has been to the Olympics.

“It was a very prestigious event and I think we’re still all in shock about being invited!”

Emi is again in action this weekend as she is part of the strong South Northumberland Pony Club teams competing at the national Pony Club championships at Cholmondeley Castle in Cheshire.

The club has qualifiers in the open, intermediate and novice classes, with entries in all disciplines apart from polo cross.

She is part of the open team and will also compete individually in the show jumping.

It comes at a hugely successful time for South Northumberland under the leadership of team manager Charlotte Ridley, of Park End, Wark.

There are high hopes the club can bring some national silverware home.

Emi said: “The club has done so well and it’s great to see as we have been members for so long.

“We’ve got a really strong team and, if we have a good day, there’s no reason things can’t go our way.”