Jenny Mitchell, of Kenninghall, Georgie Wood, of Old Buckenham, and Ellie Cocks, of Caston, won the open team showjumping category at the Pony Club National Championships at Draycott House in Derbyshire on Monday.

The trio's achievement was all the more impressive as their 23 opponents had the benefit of being able to compete with a full alllowance of four riders and could drop their lowest score.

The Thetford Chase Pony Club were tied with two other teams after two rounds on Monday, with four faults, but held their nerve to win a jump-off against the clock.

"It was an absolutely fantastic result," said the youngest member of the team, Georgie, 14.

"We have all been friends in the pony club for years but this was the first time we have ridden together.

"The pressure was really on, as we only had a team of three and all our scores had to count but our little mares did us proud."

It proved to be a double success for Thetford Chase Pony Club, who were competing at the national championships for the first time.

They were given a £500 training bursary for winning the open horsemanship team category, which was awarded to the trio's performance in the first round.

The trio qualified for the national championships after winning the regional round at Graveley, Essex, earlier in the month.

Next week Mitchell, 20, will be off to the Scope Finals and Old Buckenham High School pupil Wood will be competing in the Riding Club finals on September 6-7 in Lincolnshire

* THREE riders from Fersfield-based Fenners won four gold medals at the Regional Special Equestrian Olympics in Peterborough.

Val Knowler took first in the dressage, Steve Hildreth for trail ride and dressage and Simon Stone for horsecare and knowledge.

Riding for the Disabled Association tutor Lynne Kemp said: "It was a long day but we all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and the riders were brilliant."

The riders are now fundraising for the National Special Olympics next July.