By KATE WILLIAMS

An East Devon teenager has come home in ribbons after competing at a national equestrian event last weekend.

Axe Valley Academy pupil Willow Tulloch, aged 14, travelled to Lincolnshire after qualifying for The Pony Club Animal Barrier Health Spring Festival competition and came second in the arena eventing 80cm championship class on Saturday, April 9.

Riding her grey gelding Memo II, the Colyton teen and Axe Vale Hunt Pony Club member also came in 11th in the 90cm arena eventing, which is a course of show jumps and cross country fences jumped in one continuous course in an arena.

Staying at the Arena UK venue all weekend, Willow and Memo II competed in the debut championship 85cm show jumping class on Sunday, having an unfortunate hesitation resulting in faults at one fence in an otherwise clear round. 

Willow said: "I really enjoyed the experience. Memo was a super star and showed me how it's done. I loved the whole weekend and I'm very grateful for the opportunity. Thanks to my mum for taking us all that way!"

Sarah, Willow's mum, who went with her daughter and drive the horse lorry to the event, added: "I'm very proud of Willow and the lovely Memo, he took such good care of her and they completed three lovely rounds, cool, calm and collected. 

"To be placed at a championship like this was the icing on the cake! Huge thanks to Willow's sponsors, Livery Dole and Summerleaze Equine Vets."

Willow Tulloch riding her grey gelding Memo II at the The Pony Club Animal Barrier Health Spring Festival in Lincolnshire