SEVERAL riders from a Haworth group have qualified for national championships.

They were among a 16-strong contingent from Haworth Riding for the Disabled (RDA) who took part in the qualifying rounds at Middleton Park Equestrian Centre, Leeds.

The event included a dressage competition and countryside challenge.

"Our riders had been practising in their regular lessons and at after-school clubs for the past three months," said Jane Lawrence, for Haworth RDA.

"All their hard work, commitment and determination paid off.

"We are extremely proud of all our riders for having built up their confidence and skill level enough to participate in this prestigious event. In our eyes, each and every one of them is a winner.

"We would like to thank Keighley Lions and the Ilkley Charitable Trust, which contributed funds towards making it possible for the riders to participate."

The RDA national championships are at Hartpury College, Gloucestershire, next month.

Qualifiers from the dressage section are James and Euan Reed Griffiths, Maria Mcavan and Bethany Jones and from the countryside challenge Benjamin Ashton, Callie Sharples, Ashley Joliffe, Sam McDermott and Jenny Lee.

Others who took part in the qualifiers were Liz Turner, Angela Mcavan, TJay Wilson, Lucy Hargreaves, Ellis Pollard, Lily Rose Chamberlain and Kieran Johns.