JUNIOR European team equestrian bronze medallist Jolyse Clancey is the delighted winner of this year's TopSpec Eventing Scholarship.

Based at Murton, near York, Clancey has four horses to compete this season, all home-bred and descendants of her mother's former ride Augermist.

Last year Clancey and On Song formed part of the Junior European team in Pratoni, where they also took individual ninth place.

She said: "I am thrilled to have been chosen as the winner, the cross-country training grant will really help and to have access to a TopSpec nutritionist is a real bonus.

"I feel very honoured that TopSpec are sponsoring me, their Feed Balancer and Super Conditioning Flakes are beyond compare, and the training will be most beneficial, with the horse and rider clothing and specialist feed advice being the icing on the cake.

"We have a really busy season planned for On Song, On High, On Fire and On Air, and are really excited after winning the scholarship."

Nicola Tyler of TopSpec said: "This year the quality and the quantity of the entries was exceptionally high. The scholarship goes from strength to strength and we are delighted to put something back into the sport, especially helping younger riders."

Clancey receives £500 towards cross-country training, a year's supply of TopSpec products for two horses, TopSpec horse and rider clothing and a visit from TopSpec's senior nutritionist.

Towering duo

TWO North Yorkshire riders finished in the money at the Pony of the Year Show at the Unex Towerlands arena in Essex.

Hayton, near Pocklington, rider Jodie Ward was fifth in the £1,500 to the winner JA Grand Prix event on Spot the Lady, her team gold medallist at the 2004 Pony European Championships. She also scored a JC class win on Aester Iriana.

Knaresborough's Jessica Smith, 13, was the leading 138cm rider for the second year running, and also headed the 138cm Small Grand Prix on More Than Milton.

The pony came to the family as an unbroken four-year-old and has proved a winner since, with her next target the Winter 138cms Championship at the Royal International Horse Show.

Updated: 10:09 Friday, April 15, 2005