TAUNTON Vale Pony Club’s junior team has achieved an excellent eighth place in the UK at the Pony Club Championships in Cheshire.

They qualified for the event by winning the Area 15 Novice Dressage Competition, held in West Somerset, and took that form on to the national stage.

The young team of Ellie Clist, Lauryn Turner, Jessica Withers and Hatty Withers rode a very technical test and received high praise from the judges.

Their accuracy and high standard of riding saw them take eighth place, against 29 very strong teams from across the UK.

Clist was second in her section, which qualified her for the ride-off, where she was judged by three judges for a place in the top 12 individuals in the country.

She and her pony, Willow Way Olympic, claimed an individual ninth place, which is a huge personal achievement.

Taunton Vale Pony Club is one of the smallest branches in the country, with only 50 members.

Club president Di Grabham said: “I am so proud of the girls and their horses.

“They have worked so hard and shown huge commitment and determination to qualify in dressage, and get Taunton Vale Pony Club to the Championships.

“To achieve eighth place in the country in a massive achievement.”