A team of disabled horse riders from Bradford won six first rosettes at the East Midlands Special Olympic competition.

The event, held at Scropton Riding and Driving Centre, near Derby, saw each of the five members of the Bradford Disability Sports and Leisure team take part in three events – dressage, working trials and horse care.

Each rider won a rosette, including Oliver Pearce, who won three firsts and the overall championship sash, Stephen Whiteside, who won two first and one second-place rosette, and Ben Chutor, who won two seconds and a third rosette.

Meanwhile, Mark Slocombe was awarded a third and two well-done rosettes and Rose Green won a first, a second and a third.

The team’s coach Elaine Goodall said: “All the riders have ridden very well and have shown that all their hard work over the winter has been worth the effort.”

Dressage offers the opportunity for riders to show a judge, parents, friends and helpers how the rider can perform a set of movements in harmony with the horse.

Working trials is a set of obstacles and tasks that the rider has to perform on horseback and horse care is judging the riders’ knowledge of horses. Each event is split into levels to match the riders’ ability.

Mark’s dad Terry said: “The first time experience was superb. Mark was worried to start with but had a great day. He cannot wait to have another go.”

Barry Thorne, of BDSL, said: “This is our first venture in helping to support the Special Olympics horse riding so we are very proud that at the first attempt in this sort of competition they have done so well.

“They are looking for sponsors because it is a very expensive sport, so if anybody is interested, they can contact me.”

If anyone would like to take up disabled horse riding call (01274) 437093 or write to Bradford Disability Sports and Leisure, Town Hall, Shipley, BD18 3EJ.