Sponsorship deal aids Whitworth horse rider

Ava Wolstencroft with her sports pony Soldier Boy

Keen horse rider Ava Wolstencroft has been fortunate to win sponsorship from Sovereign Horses and Ponies International.

The Whitworth Community High School student entered a competition organised by the company and was selected as the winner.

Ava, 13, from Whitworth has been riding horses since she was three and her passion inspired her mother Danielle Smith to return to the pastime she left as a teenager.

She said: “I have just got a new sports pony Soldier Boy, he is 10 and I have only had him for about a month.

“We entered an arena eventing competition at Croft Top Equestrian Centre in Rising Bridge and it was the first time we had competed together and we came fourth.

“I have competitions almost every weekend from now until October and I horse ride every day after school because he is only about 20 minutes from my home.”

Ava enjoys arena work, show jumping, showing, eventing and dressage.

The sponsorship deal means Ava will receive branded merchandise with the company logo for her to wear at local and national competitions.

Danielle said: “It is a fantastic opportunity for a young rider to be supported by such a credible company and will help to get her name known in the equestrian field.”

Ava added: “When I am competing and I do well it makes me feel happy and it improves my confidence, both in riding and also in school.

“I possibly may be a teacher and then also train to be a British Horse Society instructor.

“Soldier is a very good pony, but he is a bit cheeky.”