YOUNG Otley rider Vicky Jefferies competed at the British Open Showjumping Championships which saw over 21,000 visitors flock to the Hallam FM Arena over the four days to watch the world's best riders in action writes our equestrian correspondent Kate O'Connor.

They were also able to watch some superb equestrian displays.

Among the highlights were the sight of John Whitaker clearing the 7ft wall on the beautiful grey Lactic 2 to claim the Puissance on Saturday and Nick Skelton, riding the invincible Arko III, to be crowned British Open Champion 2004 after a close contest with Robert Smith.

Skelton's win was all the more remarkable by the fact that just three years ago he retired from riding following an accident in which he broke his neck.

The fast and exciting sport of horseball provided great entertainment for the crowd. This culminated in a victory for the French Horseball team in the European Horseball Challenge.

The Scottish team won the Home International Challenge in a sport which obviously found a whole new set of devotees if the crowds around the horseball stands were anything to go by.

There was great support for the Yorkshire contingent with the Whitaker family John, Michael and Robert competing alongside Baildon-born Robert Smith, son of the legendary Harvey.

In the Young Riders Classic Vicky Jefferies finished ninth riding her own Touchwood ll, narrowly missing out on the money with a time of 72.39 and six penalty points.

Vicky can still hold her head high knowing that she did very well even to get to the championships having to be in the top 20 of the BSJA rankings to be able to compete.

It may not have been her year this year, her last in Young Riders, as she turns 21 on St George's Day, tomorrow, Friday, but she is definitely one to keep an eye on for the future.

Vicky was also ninth in the Young Riders Black Ball Challenge out of the 13 riders entered.

The show provided excitement from start to finish with something for everyone. Even the non horsey parents and boyfriends who had been dragged along could not contain themselves when faced with the electrifying horseball European Challenge - a fast paced mix of rugby, polo and wrestling on horseback.

Throats were sore after cheering for the dinky ponies in the scurrying and it is true - they really do go faster the louder you shout!

The audience was struck dumb by the mesmerising display by Frenchman Jean Francois Pignon who performed a series of complex moves with his horses using no tack - only trust.

There was also an exhilarating activity ride by the Metropolitan Police who rode their mounts through hoops of fire and removed their saddles whilst riding at speed.

This successful second year of the Open proved to organisers Grandstand Event Management that it was a great move to come north to Yorkshire to stage the event. They will also stage the Horse of the Year Show at the NEC, Birmingham, from October 6-10.