There has been success for Cheshire equestrians at the Red Gorilla Combined Training Championships.

Frodsham-based rider Paulina Ciechacka-Shearn won a national title riding Secret Britannia in the Novice and 90cm class.

Ms Ciechacka-Shearn said: "I actually didn’t think that I had ridden that test well at first and felt pretty disappointed with myself."

But she was thrilled when the judge praised her performance, saying: "really well done, this was exactly how this test should be ridden."

Chester and District Standard: Paulina Ciechacka-Shearn won the national title

Ms Ciechacka-Shearnhad has known11-year-old Secret Britannia for just a year, initially having no competition plans.

But now they are aiming to qualify for the BD National Championships at Somerford Park in Cheshire in September.

Joining her in triumph was Somerford's own Tyler Cassels who won both the Novice and 80cm and the Preliminary and 80cm titles with six-year-old gelding Dynamic III.

Mr Cassels is a BE Accredited Development Coach and Event Rider.

Despite the bleak weather on the day of the event, Ms Ciechacka-Shearn said: "It was a very cold and wet day but despite that all the other competitors and all ground staff were very friendly and upbeat so it was a lovely atmosphere."

Together, these successes put Cheshire firmly on the equestrian map.