A TEENAGER from Largs is jumping for joy after qualifying for the final of the prestigious Horse of the Year show.


Talented equestrian Zara Bainbridge, 16, will be performing at the televised event at the Birmingham International Exhibition Centre in October and says reaching it is a 'dream come true'.
The sixth year pupil at Largs Academy has been riding her friend Ellie O’Donnell's coloured sports pony Colourville Viva Las Vegas for almost a year. 
Zara, whose parents Alan and Liz run The Haylie Hotel, qualified at the Royal Highland Show in Ingliston last weekend after impressing judges.
But she insists it is all down to the trusty pony.
Speaking about him, Zara said: "He is amazing to ride and has the biggest personality, everyone who meets him just loves him and I’m so lucky. 
"I have been to see the Horse of the Year show a few times and always dreamed that one day it would be me."
The duo will be competing in the 143 Working Hunter Pony class.
Zara nearly made it a double as she narrowly missed out on qualifying with her own pony, Gortgarrow Willow.
They finished second to an established Horse of the Year show champion at the Royal Highland Show. 
She said: “It would have been amazing to have pulled off the double but I’m still really happy."
Busy Zara and Memphis have also qualified for the prestigious Royal International Horse Show which will be held at Hickstead this month (JULY).
Mum Liz told of the family's delight at Zara's success and praised her endeavours - describing her daughter as a 'complete perfectionist'.
She said: "Zara has been riding since she has been six years old and it's been her dream to qualify for the Horse of the Year show from day one.
"This is the event every rider in the country wants to be involved in - it is the equivalent of Largs Thistle reaching the Champions League."
Liz has driven Zara and her horse box hundreds of miles all over the UK and she says her daughter is devoted to her discipline, riding six days a week.
She said: "It is a way of life for Zara.
"This was the last year she could qualify in this particular pony class due to age restrictions, and she was absolutely determined she was going to do it."
Liz says Zara will be competing against big stables with their own showjumping facilities and multiple ponies and trainers.
She said: "It is an amazing achievement to qualify for the show and we hope everyone in Largs gets behind her."
Zara, who lives with older sister Millie, 22, brother Louie, 20, and parents Alan and Liz is now busy getting in plenty of practice at her stables based at Kelburn Estate.