THREE Northwich youngsters have each earned prestigious places at the annual Horse of the Year Show.

Competing in the show, which takes place at Birmingham’s NEC and has been running since 1949, is widely regarded as the pinnacle of equestrian achievement.

William, 15, Emma, 13, and Polly Walton, nine, who live on Stockley Farm, will be taking part in the Pony Club Mounted Games, alongside their fellow East Cheshire Pony Club team members.

The games include The Tack Shop and Bending Poles, both of which will test everything from the competitor’s athletic ability to their hand-eye-coordination.

The children, who have 20 years of horse riding experience between them, are looking forward to the competition despite their busy schedules.

Jill Walton, the children’s mother, has said: “They’re really, really excited and are counting down the days.”

The East Cheshire Pony Club have been working throughout the year in order to earn their place as one of only six competing teams.

This will be William’s third time competing at HOYS, whereas Emma and Polly are participating for the first time.

Polly, who has been riding since she was five years old, is the sixth member of the team. She will be called upon if any of her teammates are unable to ride.

Having seen her brother compete in the show, Polly told the Guardian she was now looking forward to getting the chance to be a team member and was ‘very excited’ for the opportunity to join her siblings.

Alongside their vital weekly training sessions, the children have also been fundraising in order to pay for their trip.

“We’ve raised £300 from a coffee morning and people have been donating clothes and shoes for us to exchange for money," Jill added.

William, who has competed twice before in the show, is looking forward to the Tyre Race in particular.

He said he was thinking about his future in horse riding and that he would like to ‘focus on show jumping’.

With HOYS training sessions starting at six in the morning, Emma is more concerned about getting out of bed.

“I’m really looking forward to the event,” she said.

“But I’m not very good at early mornings.”