Local equestrian rider Sinead Cox recently competed in the prestigious Horse of the Year Show at the NEC in Birmingham.

She is first locally-based rider to qualify for both the pony newcomers and pony foxhunter finals at HOYS - places in each of these finals are hard fought for throughout the season at British Showjumping premier shows.

Sinead qualified her pony Lislan Cruising Lady for the newcomers by winning at the Scottish Home Pony International in July and followed this up with a qualification for the foxhunter final by coming seventh in the Foxhunter Masters at the National Championships in August.

The pair jumped two clear rounds to finish an impressive eighth at HOYS in the newcomers and had a very unlucky fence down in the foxhunter to finish in 12th place.

This follows on a from an impressive seventh place in the winter JC final held at Hickstead in July.

Sinead would like to thank Steam Packet Company, Isle of Man Sports Academy, King William’s College and her trainer Mark McCourt for their support.