York school pupil Charlotte Alpin is through to the Dengie Pony Club Winter League show-jumping regional finals, a competition that attracts thousands of entries nationwide.

The 13-year-old, a pupil of St Olave's School in York, qualified two ponies after finishing first and second in a Dengie first round at Woodnook arena, near Huddersfield.

"I was first and last to go in the jump-off, where there were some tight turns in the course," said Charlotte, who has been a member of the York and Ainsty North Pony Club since she was five.

"I won on J P Kelly, a 14.2 hh brown and white gelding I've only had since the end of the summer holidays and finished second on my 13.2hh pony Simply Spot, who I've ridden for two years."

Charlotte also competes in BSJA show-jumping with her ponies.

The talented youngster qualified J P Kelly for the Kraiburg Junior Sapphire finals, due to be held at the national Blue Chop Championships in spring, at Stainsby Grange arena before Christmas.

Clubmate Lorna Emery, 13, from Harrogate, won a Dengie first round qualifier at Northallerton Equestrian Centre. The Harrogate Grammar School pupil rode the 14.2hh mare Delta Sapphire, who she currently has on loan for six months.

Lorna has also qualified for the Permanent Show Organisers Association show-jumping regional finals and younger sister Jo Emery, 12, is hoping to qualify her pony for the Dengie regional finals.

Both riders now go on to the area three Dengie regional finals to be held in March at Bishop Burton College near Beverley.

The top four from this, and another 18 regional finals, go on to the national championships in Warwickshire at the end of the month.

Updated: 12:02 Wednesday, February 07, 2001