A KINGSBRIDGE resident who had only taken part in one previous show takes home third at Devon County Show.

Lee Wellington entered Barfield’s Madison, a horse he owns with girlfriend Louise Sharpe, in the Hunter Breeding Three-Year-Old class and came in third alongside the professionals.

Louise said: ‘The horse is only three and Lee has only done one other show before this, both Madison and Lee have been home-trained by me! I’m very proud.’

In hand showing, no rider, is designed to show off the horse as best you can. It can take hours to get them clean and presentable, and then they walk and trot the horse so the judge can see how it moves. You need quite a lot of puff if you have a large horse!

Louise, under Louise Sharpe Equestrian Services from Kingsbridge, runs classes and workshops to build confidence on Cross Country Courses with the British Horse Society, as well as teaching around the South Hams. You can contact her on: 07779 280162 or 01548 854173.