A TALENTED young dressage rider has triumphed at a national competition and won two top awards.

Florence Human, 16, from Mark, competed against more than 100 riders at the Pony Club Winter Dressage Championship at Addington Manor in Milton Keynes on Saturday (April 14) and won the open competition and the freestyle event.

The determined rider is currently studying for her GCSE exams at the Kings of Wessex Academy in Cheddar but still finds the time to train every day with her horse, Fulgencio, at her family home in Mark.

William Human, Florence's father, said the teenager has always been passionate about horse riding and said she hopes to have a career in the sport.

"We have always loved horses in our family, Florence got onto a horse when she was less than a year old and she hasn't looked back," William said.

"She used to compete in a number of events at competitions but last year she said she wanted to focus on dressage as that is what she enjoys the most.

"We bought her a horse last year called Fulgencio but we call him Dylan at home. She has been training with him for just over a year but already they have had an incredibly successful partnership.

"We are so proud of Florence, she trains really hard and we were so happy to see her win a major competition."

Florence is part of the Polden Hills branch of the Pony Club and will be representing the county at the British Dressages Inter County Challenge in May.

William says Florence will continue to train hard next year for dressage competitions and will start studying for her A Levels.

"Florence is really dedicated to dressage, she would train all day, every day if she had the chance," William said.

"Her coach, Sophie Clarke from Badgworth has given her a great deal of help and support and helped her train for competitions.

"Florence has been inspired by top dressage riders like Charlotte Dujardin and hopes to have a great future in the sport.

"We are looking forward to seeing where she goes in the future."