TWO local riders are celebrating after being picked to represent Wales at a national dressage competition.

Alison Payne, from Abergavenny, and Liz Lucas, from Blackwood, will be travelling to Rowallan, in Scotland, next month for the British Dressage Home International.

The two who are both members of Abergavenny-based Vale of Usk Riding Club, will be joining the Welsh team to compete against riders from England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, in a competition lasting two days.

Alison, who will be competing with her horse Diamante Jacques at elementary level, explained that it's a prestigious championship within the dressage world and said, "Selection of team members takes place over the previous year based on the riders' competition performance and training sessions held by British Dressage.

"Each country sends a number of teams and they perform two tests over two days to decide the champions. Each team has four members, each riding at a different level, so the competition is very inclusive and allows amateurs to compete as well as professionals."

Last year Wales had a number of placings but the team is hoping to better its performance this year.

Alison who competed last year at novice level, but is moving up a level this year to elementary.

added, "I am so thrilled. Especially considering I have a busy full time job, no arena and look after and train my horse myself. I'd like to think I truly represent the amateur owner-rider."

Alison is also celebrating qualifying with her two horses for the Petplan Area Festival at the end of this month and the British Dressage Winter championships with one horse later this year.

Liz Lucas has also qualified for the area festival but it's her first time at the Home International. She'll be riding her home-bred mare Thinking about Thinking at prelim level at the competition from October 16-17, and said "I still cannot believe I am going. I feel so honoured to be chosen and it's all thanks to the encouragement of my family and friends and trainer Vicky Pengelly, that I've got this far.

"I think we've both shown that anyone can go on to success in dressage whatever your background – you don't need to be rich or famous!"

Both riders paid tribute to Sue Harrison, British Dressage's Regional Development Officer for Wales who has worked tirelessly to develop dressage at all levels in Wales.

But before they go the two riders are helping organise the Vale of Usk Riding Club's own dressage competition this Saturday at Coleg Gwent's Usk Campus.

Liz said, "Our club competition is open to everyone and if you've never had a go at dressage before there's a class for new riders and young horses. It also could be the last chance for many riders to have a go at a dressage test before winter sets in."

The club's website http://www.vouridingclub.co.uk">www.vouridingclub.co.uk contains all the information about the competition.