A ROCHFORD show jumper is celebrating after she was selected to represent Great Britain at the up-and-coming Children European Jumping Championships.

Hallie Lunn, 14, has been chosen for the squad at the upcoming event in Wiener Neustadt, in Austria after she leapt to victory in the Blue Chip Pony Newcomers Second Round at the end of July.

And Hallie can now look forward to a week in Austria, as she prepared to ride her dad Richard’s eight-year-old Chestnut mare Brookwood Supersonic between Tuesday, August 11 and Sunday, August 16.

“I can’t wait,” said the Southend High School for Girls pupil. “There were three qualifying events to get to the Championships and we are hoping to do better after we took bronze in Germany last month.

“I am really pleased with how I have been riding and hopefully we can put in another good show in Austria.

Hollie beat off the competition from 114 other riders in Wales to take the crown in Monmouthshire, as they targeted direct qualification to the championships and she starred on her dad’s 16-year-old bay gelding Little Boy De Carmen.

Her third round of 35.19 seconds could not be matched, although Holly says she does not know where her enthusiasm for the sport stemmed from.

“My parents have never even sat on a horse,” he said. “I started when I was six after I decided to give pony lessons a go and I have never looked back.

“I am riding three hours a day as it’s the school holidays and I hope we have some success in Austria.