A BARNSLEY-BASED dressage rider beat off competition to win a prestigious tournament.

Lisa Clarkson won Petplan Equine’s Elementary Silver Area Festival Championship held at Hartpury College, Gloucestershire, with her eight-year-old bay gelding horse Giannova.

Lisa said she was ‘thrilled’ with Giannova’s performance, especially considering that he had to recover from surgery to get to the championships.

“The conditions were horrible,” said Lisa. “Through my warm up the weather was getting worse and worse, sideways wind and rain, he didn’t even want to walk in it.

“In the test he was such a good boy, he can be a little sharp, so I was really proud that he held it together. We nearly lost him to MRSA after he had a tooth removed.

“He had to have two lots of surgery under general anaesthetic because we couldn’t get rid of the infection. He’s lucky to be alive really. But we couldn’t miss our moment of glory, it’s a lifetime ambition to win a championship rug.”

Kate Hopkins, marketing consultant at Petplan Equine, said: “Every year the Petplan Equine Area Festivals deliver more participants and even more truly inspiring stories from grassroots riders whose aim is to make it to these Championships.

“The standard of competition is always beyond expectations and Petplan Equine is extremely proud to be a sponsor of a much loved competition. Celebrating the talent of our amateur dressage riders and their equine partners is what the Petplan Equine Area Festivals are all about. We would especially like to congratulate Lisa and Giannova on their fantastic win and wish her the very best of luck for the future.”

British Dressage chief executive Jason Brautigam said: “As another year goes by and we are back at the Petplan Equine Area Festival Championships, I am once again captivated by the dedication and commitment shown by the competitors.

“This is the real grassroots of our sport in action and the standard reached is to be applauded. In 2018 even more people experienced the feeling of top class competition which the Area Festivals deliver year on year with the Championships at Hartpury College, Gloucestershire being the icing on the cake.

“We will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of Petplan Equine’s support of the Area Festivals when the new series starts in May and we look forward to marking this landmark occasion. Petplan Equine is a loyal, committed and trusted supporter of our sport and of our members who participate in the Area Festival Series.”