CHARLOTTE Harlow from Lifton rode her aunt's eight year-old New Forest gelding Willoway Lord of the Rings to top spot on Thursday morning at the Horse of the Year show, the most famous horse show in the world, held at the NEC in Birmingham.

Charlotte then topped it off by winning the championship in the Andrew Bowen International Arena during the afternoon performance.

Charlotte and her aunt, Sally Carpenter from Launceston, were over the moon to win the Polly Products mountain and moorland working hunter pony exceeding 138cms judged in two phases.

The first phase was jumped over a course of rustic fences emulating the hunting field in front of a packed audience in the Caldene arena.

David Cole built a testing course which included logs, water trays, and a simulated rock pile all decorated with trees, bushes and the odd toadstools. Riders get penalties for knock downs and refusals and get extra marks for style and performance whilst jumping. The second phase was judged on the ponies conformation, manners and way of going.

Results were announced in reverse order from ninth place. Charlotte knew she had jumped a good clear round and kept her nerve whilst the numbers were called out. Eleven riders were left in suspense waiting to hear who would be announced as the winner. When Charlotte's name was called out the crowd went wild. An army of friends and relations were there to support Charlotte who could hardly speak she was so thrilled.

Charlotte, who is 23, works in a local factory and juggles her horse riding with her job. She managed to qualify the pony last year in both the ridden and the working hunter mountain and moorland and finished in sixth place on the flat.

Asked what they were hoping for in the championship. "We're going for it," answered Sally, who was so excited. After Charlotte rode down the centre line in the championship, Sally was speechless saying: "It's indescribable; just fantastic. You have to have a horse yourself and win it to know how it feels."