AN Otley woman is celebrating after her Fell pony was named a champion at the prestigious Horse of the Year Show.

An enthusiastic crowd saw Quarryhouse Jasper win the Balanced Horse Feed Mountain and Moorland Working Hunter Pony of the Year at the premier event held at the Birmingham NEC.

And for his rider, 32-year-old Sarah Drake, and owner Chris Jowett, of Yeadon, it was the best result ever.

"There isn't a better class that any pony could win. We're really, really chuffed. I've won a few others, but this is definitely the best with this pony," said Sarah.

Jasper, a ten year old 13.3hh gelding, qualified for the Horse of the Year Show at this year's Great Yorkshire Show.

It was the second time he had qualified for the event, but missed out on going last year after measuring one centimetre too high for the class.

This year Jasper was put in a different class where he was one of the smallest.

The competition involved him completing a jumping and obstacle course - similar to a real hunting field - and showing in hand.

"I was the last to go and as I jumped the last fence the crowd was well behind him," said Sarah.

Sarah, whose mother, as Pamela Harrison, was an international showjumper who competed at the Horse of the Year Show, said Jasper had not always been an easy pony to ride.

"He's about as naughty as they get. The day of the qualifier it took us three quarters of an hour to get him into the box, he's very stubborn. But he's completely different at shows, he's a bit of a show off."

With the HOYS championship behind them, Sarah and Chris are now looking ahead to winter qualifiers and more shows.