Cumberland Foxhounds Pony Club have had two recent successes.

First their junior horse and pony care team qualified for the prestigious Pony Club National Championships.

The team of Lauren Fell, aged 10, of Torpenhow, Alex Hayes, 12, of Cockermouth and Elizabeth Porter, 13, of Hayton finished second out of 21 teams in Area two Pony Club Horse and Pony Care qualifier competition held at Blackdyke Farm Riding Centre.

The placing saw them qualify for the prestigious National Championships to be held at Cholmondley Castle, Cheshire in August.

Spokeswoman, Katherine Gaston, said: "Lauren and Alex have only been members for less than a year, so the team's achievement is brilliant result, especially for such a small branch."

Also representing the branch at senior level was Christopher Elliot, 16, of Great Clifton, Sarah Emmott, 20, of Wythop and Georgina Porter, 15, of Hayton, who finished sixth in the senior competition.

Also riding high at the weekend was another member, 17-year-old Rebeka Lawson, from Cockermouth.

With her five-year-old home produced mare Apricor Amishca, she took third and fifth places in the British Dressage National Winter Championships in the preliminary competition, held at Hartpury College, Gloucestershire.