Long Marston-based Garry Kirby was among the winners at the British Riding Club's National Championships in Lincolnshire, where he was representing Selby Riding Club.

Kirby's win came in the senior riding test championships, which are judged on the rider's style and ability. He headed his arena by an impressive 25-point margin, riding Buster for Selby owner and former club chairman Jackie Paler, and went on to win the overall championship title from all four individual arenas.

"We also won our section in this Championship last year but it was great to go and win the overall individual title," said Kirby, who rides and competes for a living. "The conditions were dreadful - we had unbelievable rain all day."

Paler has owned Buster, a 15.2hh bright bay cob, for two years.

Kirby was also on the Selby team that finished third in the senior open dressage championships, the first time the team have qualified for this prestigious final. He was third individually on the consistent Buster and team-mate Victoria Butterfield, from York, was fourth in her arena on Millbrook Roana.

Completing the team were Babthorpe accountant Emma Barbery, tenth in her arena on Sip of Salsa, and Wilberfoss-based Andrea Peel, on Talent Scout.

Jackie Paler's husband, Anthony, was sixth in the senior novice dressage championships on his gelding Hugo.

Other local riders to go well included York and District Riding Club's Christine Johnson, eighth in the senior riding test championships on State Occasion, and Helen Garfitt, from Malton Riding Club, who was third in the senior novice dressage final on Mystic Boynton.

A young Ebor Vale Riding Club team was tenth in the junior dressage for riders aged under 17. Katie Brickman and Sophie Pilling were third in their arenas, riding Longslade Dancing Firebird and Swinridge Valentino. They were joined by Rebecca Bartram and Simply Sky.

Updated: 09:09 Saturday, September 24, 2005