An Ilkley businesswoman who has produced unique music tapes for dancing horses is fast becoming known across the world, after she was featured in the Telegraph & Argus.

Julia Clegg, of Railway Road, started making the tapes after watching a dressage-to-music competition.

Julia, 44, a keen rider and horse-lover, thought providing music for horses to dance to would improve their performance in events which are gaining an international reputation.

She was featured in the T&A a few weeks ago and immediately attracted global attention.

Calls from as far afield as Japan and Canada came in, asking for interviews.

Tomimi Matsuyama, from Japanese radio station Zip, said they were eager to speak to Julia because the idea of a music tape for horses was so unusual.

In an e-mail sent yesterday, Ms Matsuyama said: "We completed our interview today and it will be broadcast on Thursday.

"It was very interesting to talk with Julia. She is an amazing person and her idea is great.

"There will be a lot of people in Japan who will listen with interest.

"I thought her tape was really interesting because I had never heard of an exercise tape for horses before.

"Also, it was interesting how Julia made the tape because she loves horses and started her own business."

Mary Jane Culbert, from Canadian radio station CBC, said they were keen to interview Julia.

Julia started producing the tapes in September last year. Speaking at the time, she said: "I started thinking that if horses had music to exercise to, it would help them and the rider keep in time.

"The dressage-to-music event is taken very seriously at the highest level and is now filtering through to novice riders."

Tapes last half an hour and contain different pieces of music designed to help horses trot, canter and gallop.