Young Egremont equestrian Darcie Dhillon has a golden ticket after qualifying for the Royal International Horse Show.

The nine-year-old won the BSPS North of England Spring Show near Liverpool on Saturday which secured her a qualifying ticket to compete in the Royal International Horse Show in Hickstead in July.

This is the most prestigious outdoor show of the season with horses and ponies being campaigned all over the country in the run-up to the event in the hope of securing a qualifying ticket.

Britain’s best horses and ponies will compete in their respective classes, hoping to claim a coveted place in the British Horse Society Supreme Horse and the De La Hey Family Supreme Pony Championships on Sunday afternoon.

Darcie and her pony Sandboro Love Child, nicknamed ‘Lilly’ competed at local shows in Cumbria last year and is now set to compete with some of the countries best ponies at the top event.

Dad Davin added: “We are just really proud of her, she has come on in leaps and bounds.”