A competitive horse rider is celebrating success after becoming the Reserve Supreme Champion at the prestigious Hickstead horse show.

Sienna Amy Corbett, age 14, from Penybont, competed with her horse, Molly a Section D thoroughbred, aged 12.

Sienna started jumping for fun, but it soon ignited her drive to start competing at a more serious level.

She qualified in showjumping at Allenshill Competition Centre, in Worcestershire for The Sunshine Tour Championships at Hickstead back in February this year. The Sunshine Tour Championships is a four-day equestrian competition for amateur and unaffiliated riders, handlers, horses, and ponies, which took place at the All-England Jumping Course, Hickstead from September 12-15, 2024.

Her mother, Sarah Corbett, has been with her along the way. Speaking of the preparation, she said: “Sienna was excited to be going to The All England Jumping Couse at Hickstead, but took it all in her stride, with lots of commitment, training in all weathers, and weekly lessons leading up to the championships. I take Sienna to all her training, lessons, and horse events from fairly local venues to as far as Hickstead, and Buckingham.

“Life is busy, working part-time, and I also have Sienna’s brother, but as a family, we make it work, with lots of help and commitment from myself, my partner, and my parents, Sienna’s grandparents.”

Speaking about placing in the competition, Sienna said: “To get placed Reserve Champion, and then to go on and get Reserve Supreme Champion at Hickstead was an absolute honour - something I only ever could have dreamed of.”

Sarah said: “Sienna was smiling and grinning from ear to ear when she came out of the arena after her presentation, but still very composed, and once again took it all in her stride. As a parent, I cried. I’m still thinking it was all a dream.”

Molly and Sienna will now have a few weeks’ rest from competing, before looking at some winter league show jumping events. 2025 promises to be an exciting year for Sienna.