YOUNG Ludlow rider Aimee Parry is making impressive strides on the equestrian front.

The talented 12-year-old Tenbury High School pupil recently travelled to the Pet Plan National Finals at Hartbury College near Gloucester, where she competed against adults with her 13.2hh Welsh Section C pony Yarty Welsh Jack.

Parry only started competing in affiliated British Dressage in January 2014 but she has been quick to catch the eye. Together with Jack she qualified for Preliminary and Novice events at the Somerford Park Regionals, winning the Novice Restricted, which qualified her for the prestigious National Dressage Championships at Stoneleigh last September. That event featured the elite of the dressage world, including Olympic gold medal winners Charlotte Dujardin and Carl Hester.

Other highlights have included representing North West England at the BYRDS Home International in Wales and winning Pony Derby Champion for best rider and best pony at the Sheepgate National Under-25 Championships.

Last September Parry was selected for the GB National Pony Progress squad and over the past six months she has received advanced training.

She is currently preparing for the British Dressage Regional Championships at Somerford Park in Cheshire for which she has qualified at Elementary level.

Parry is trained by Sophie Cox and Islay Auty and is a member of West Midlands Dressage Group, North West BYRDS and Ludlow Hunt Pony Club.