A CLEOBURY Mortimer event rider had to pull out of a royal horse trial after her horse lost a shoe.

Sophie Smyth was due to ride Mr Percival at the Cotswold home of The Princess Royal at Gatombe Park.

"Such is the ups and downs of horses, Percy lost a shoe the day before event," said Smyth.

"Therefore, we did not end up going to Gatcombe Park.

"With the ground being firm after such little little rain, you have to be careful and look after their feet, especially as Percy is a big horse.

"Their are no more events for us this season now as it draws to a lose over the next two weeks.

"We aim to run Percy at novice level next season, which is a step up from what he has done this summer."

Smyth, who won last year's prestigious Royal Windsor Horse Show, works for Ludlow law firm mfg Solicitors and the company have agreed to sponsor her at future horse trial events.

Her links with the Shropshire equine and farming communities are deep-rooted, with her grandfather Tim Dwerryhouse once being a well-known vet practising in Cleobury.