A RESPECTED horsewoman has been handed the challenging task of judging one of Northumberland County Show’s most prestigious prizes.

Yorkshire’s Amanda Stoddart-West will judge the Kielder Organics Supreme Light Horse Champion category at this year’s show.

Amanda is well-known for her work at the Great Yorkshire Show, looking after its competitive element as well as the autumn show, Countryside Live.

She said: “I am really looking forward to judging the Supreme Champion at this show.

“I’m confident that all the animals in the line-up will be worthy winners, but on the day there can only be one Supreme and for me it will be the animal that stands out as the one I want to get on and ride, or in the case of a pony, the one I want to take home.”

Amanda has also been involved with the Melpash Show, and the Royal Bath and West Show, and has spent her entire life around horses.

She continued: “I grew up around horses and was on ponies before I could walk.

“I trained in a top class showing yard in Worcestershire for four years, where I was lucky to be part of the team that won the Pony of the Year and Lightweight Hunter of Year in the same year at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

“I later ran a yard at my parents’ farm in Dorset for several years.

“I believe agricultural shows have an important role to play enabling breeders and exhibitors to come together to show-off their animals.

“I hope that they also provide a greater insight for the non-agricultural or non-horsey person who may go on to follow a career in agriculture or in the equestrian world.” This year’s county show takes place at Bywell on Monday, May 27.