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Young rider takes gold in adult arena debut

A showjumper has been tipped for a bright future in the sport after emerging victorious in her debut seniors competition.

Charlie Hughes, 12, from South Wigston, has been riding horses since she was five and took up showjumping soon after.

She has just competed in her first event against adults, at the Senior League Winter Finals in Wales, which she won.

The Wigston High School pupil said she was shocked to come away with the gold medal in the 2ft 9in pony class.

"I was quite nervous because I was competing against adults who have been riding for a long time. I didn't think I was going to win but I thought it would have been good to compete against better riders," she said.

"The event was over two days so at the end it was really nerve-wracking. I was waiting for the scores and times. When I found out I won I was so happy. I felt very proud being at the top of the podium with my family watching."

Mum Michelle Hughes, 37, said: "It was massive for her to win that in her first ever senior event. She only got into the showjumping seriously at the age of eight, but she's very dedicated. Some of her friends were doing it so she started and she's extremely good."