AS one of the youngest competitors, a teenage rider from the Tyne Valley caused a big stir at the prestigious Badminton Horse Trials.

Tynedale Pony Club member Sam Harrison (15), of Barrasford, clinched a remarkable fourth place from more than 100 participants in the Mitsubishi Motors Cup BE90 class, a competition aimed at grassroots riders.

The cream of the crop of elite equestrian stars compete at Badminton, and it is the target for amateur riders, such as Sam, too.

Taking time off preparing for his GSCEs at Hexham’s Queen Elizabeth School, Sam impressed with clear runs in both the showjumping and cross country disciplines to be placed in the competition.

In an open competition for both juniors and adults, Sam was the second youngest by just a few months in the field.

But he didn’t let his inexperience put him off as he and his horse Chequored Elf impressed over the two days.

Recording 31.3 points for the dressage, they lay in 20th place but flawless runs in both the showjumping and cross country shot them up to second with half of the field still to go. Sam and his supportive family then watched on nervously as the results came in!

He said: “I am over the moon because it couldn’t have gone any better. I went down there knowing I was up against the best in the country, so I was just happy to be there.

“We were hoping for the top 20 as that’s classed as a placing, and the top six was a dream because the prize giving was in front of Badminton House.

“It was quite nerve wracking after I finished because I was in the first half of people won had run, so I was watching the scores coming in hoping to be somewhere between second and 12th.

“This was the first event we’ve done all three phases of dressage, showjumping and cross country together, and it was just unbelievable to do so well.”

Sam’s journey to Badminton started with an area event, before going on to the regional qualifier at Dalston Green, in Cumbria, which he won.

His performances on board Elf have been impressive to date, and he is hoping to build on the momentum.

“This was one of my first events this year so I have got the whole season ahead, and hopefully I can go to the Pony Club Championships in the near future. Hopefully, we will try this year to qualify for the 100 class at next year’s Badminton Grassroots.”

david.coulter@hexham-courant.co.uk