AN Abergavenny riding club is celebrating after scooping first and second prizes in regional dressage finals and winning a place in the national championships.

Vale of Usk Riding Club swept the scoreboard at the Winter Dressage Qualifiers at Pencoed, Mid Glamorgan late last month.

The club sent three teams of riders all from Abergavenny, Crickhowell, Raglan and Blackwood to the BHS Riding Clubs indoor dressage area qualifiers where they competed against 13 others.

The team of Ruth Gregory, Helen Johns, Liz Lucas and Anna Tucker won the event overall with an amazing score of five points.

Individually, Anna Tucker was first and Liz Lucas second in the novice test and Helen John second and Ruth Gregory sixth in the prelim test.

They will now go through to the NAF sponsored Winter Dressage Championships which will be held at Hartpury College, Gloucestershire, on March 28.

Their next team also did incredibly well coming second, although won't go through to the championships.

Sam Owen came seventh and Judith Powell fifth in the novice test, while Mel O'Brian competed in the prelim test. The fourth member, Sarah Anderson, had to withdraw after her horse was kicked.

The final team consisting of Phil Norris, Sharon Tovey, Sam Owen and Sarah Everitt were unplaced but had a good day.

Chairman of the Abergavenny club, Nikki Watson said she was thrilled with the results and added, "We're only a small club, but we've got some really talented and dedicated riders.

"Now we're hoping to improve on our success at the national championships where our member Liz Lucas won her section last year and the team came 14th overall."

She also thanked the club's trainers Irene Blake, of Abergavenny, and Vikki Pengilly, of Bridgend, who were both instrumental in the team success.

Nikki said that the club isn't just for competitive riders and they always welcome new members.

She told the Chronicle, "We're a small friendly club and whether you are a dressage diva or a happy hacker, we'd love you to join us."

Find out more about the club on http://www.vouridingclub.co.uk">www.vouridingclub.co.uk or contact Nikki direct on 07971 972836.