Ten-year-old Adam Sharp was one of four members of the Harpenden Riding for the Disabled Association Group who have qualified for the National Championships in Gloucestershire in July.

The group entered a team of riders into the Eastern Regional qualifiers at Oaklands College in St Albans where they competed in the Countryside Challenge.

Sharp came first in the junior class and also achieved the highest Countryside Challenge score of the day. Sharp, who has been riding for eight months, rode Simba in the competition.

His mum, Jos Sharp, said: “Adam has various disabilities resulting from a brain tumour and even getting on the pony is problematic for him.

“It was fantastic to see him looking so professional on Simba and to see him using his left hand to hold the reins, which is very difficult for him to do.

“The whole volunteer team at RDA do an amazing job, for which I’m very grateful – Adam hasn’t stopped smiling since"

Adam said: “I was over the moon to win such a massive trophy and I am really looking forward to the National Championships. Simba was brilliant.”

The Countryside Challenge consists of 12 ‘obstacles’ which the rider has to negotiate, such as circling a ‘duck pond’ and picking an apple and dropping it in a bucket, whilst having full control of the horse.

“I was very impressed with how well all of our riders did, especially as it was so windy and cold on the day,” said Lesley Stone, Harpenden RDA Group Instructor. “It was a very successful day for the group – we are all delighted.”

The Harpenden RDA group is currently looking for any extra volunteers on a Thursday between 5.30pm and 7pm.

If you are interested in helping, send an email to tim@stagenhoe.co.uk or call 07778 519569.