YOUNG show jockey Claudia Pye has rocketed to success with a string of top showing results throughout the summer..

Nine-year-old Claudia has become a regular winner at the Ponies UK summer championships and further improved after joining Kristy and Alex Ahern, daughters of Paddy and Jayne Ahern of the Aireview Equestrian Centre.

She rode the 128cm show pony Tountmara Persephone, schooled by the team for breader Jeanette Nielson, to success.

After filling in for the pony's earlier jockey, Hannah Lee, at the Royal Welsh Show, Claudia qualified for the Horse of the Year Show at Birmingham's NEC Arena and was placed fourth out of the top 27 show ponies in the country.

Mrs Ahern said: "We are so proud of her, Claudia put in a tremendous amount of hard work and it has been a pleasure to have her riding with us."

Kirsty Ahern rode the traditional coloured horse Jasper Bailey, who is on loan from Claire Thirkhill, and was placed third overall and won best traditional horse, a title she also won at the Royal International Horse Show earlier in the year.

Kirsty said: "For him to be named the best traditional horse at the country's two biggest shows in his first season, is a tremendous achievement - I'm so proud of him.".

n Claudia Pye (left) and Kirsty Ahern (right).