Showjumping: Rochdale girl places fourth at Hickstead competition

Kylah and Eddie at Hickstead

A Rochdale girl who dreams of showjumping for England has placed fourth in a showjumping contest at the renowned Hickstead showground in West Sussex.

Kylah Howarth, eight, of Firgrove, was one of the youngest riders in the class, competing in the Sunshine Tour’s Show Jumping Championships Junior 70cm a the famous All England Showground on Saturday 15 September.

She has since been offered a sponsorship from Ice Equestrian after her performance with mount Eddie, a grey Welsh Mountain Section B.

Her family drove for six hours to reach Hickstead, the first permanent showground for equestrian sport in the country.

A member of Saddleworth Pony Club, Kylah has been riding since she was two, with her mum Yvette buying Pippa, a Welsh Mountain Pony Section A for her third birthday.

When she was just six, Kylah and Pippa won a Pony Club puissance, clearing jumps of 95cm.

With Kylah wanting to take on larger jumps and compete, Eddie joined the family last year and the duo qualified for Hickstead after competing at Church Farm in Mawdesley.

Proud mum Yvette said: “It’s been a dream come true for Kylah as she’s watched John Whittaker online a lot and seen this famous arena. We drove six hours to get there, but it was worth it.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for Kylah at her age, we’re so proud of her and Eddie, not forgetting her amazing first pony Pippa who has been the best first pony we could have ever wished for.

“Kylah’s dream is to one day jump for her country and anything is possible with hard work.”