A SCHOOLGIRL from Lincolnshire is to take on the country's best young horsemen – only five months after entering the sport.

Seven-year-old Holly Read, a pupil at St Hugh's Primary School in Woodhall Spa, has been riding since the age of five, but only began "showing" competitively on a national level in March this year.

And after winning a contest in the Scottish borders, she is now set to ride her pony Bert in next month's Horse Of The Year Show.

Holly, of Fulletby, near Horncastle, said: "I really enjoy riding.

"It was a long journey up to Scotland, which I didn't enjoy, but it was better on the way back because I'd won.

"I've not had chance to tell my friends at school, but I know they were pleased when I qualified for the Royal International Show earlier in the year.

"I'm now really looking forward to the Horse of the Year Show.

"I'll get to see some of my other friends."

The young equestrian will compete in the Sandal BMW Lead Rein Pony Of The Year class at the event, which runs from October 6 to October 10 at Birmingham's NEC.

And she follows in the footsteps of mum Charlotte, who as a junior won two International Grand Prix showjumping titles.

Mrs Read said: "For Holly, this is just a hobby, but she's up against people who do this sort of thing for a living.

"A lot of the children have been doing this sort of thing since the age of four.

"It's remarkable because Holly's gone from zero to the Horse Of The Year Show in only five months.

"And while we don't think she will win, she has a very good chance of being in the top ten."

Holly's horse, Bert – actually called Cosford Bitter Aloe – is already a champion, having won two national titles with his previous owners in the south west of England.

But dad Antony, a farmer who grows cereals, oil seed rape and sugar beet, said they had been surprised by how well Holly had done.

He said: "She was first at Kelso, which is where she got the entry for Horse Of The Year.

"But she was also second at the Lincolnshire Show.

"She might have won, but Bert sneezed just as they were showing, and won an Arena UK title in Bedfordshire.

"She's done really well, we are so proud of her."

For more about Holly's rise to the top, visit www.hoys.co.uk /competitor/stories.php