Tetbury horse rider is awarded a training bursary (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Tetbury horse rider is awarded a training bursary

A LOCAL horse rider has won the Elizabeth Woodward Training Bursary which was launched in October 2002 in memory of dressage judge Dr Elizabeth Woodward to distribute training grants to dressage riders in the South West who were considered worthy of financial help.

The initial 35 applicants were reduced to a short list of 12 who were then asked to keep a competition and training record and submit a short video of themselves either training or competing.

The trustees - Deirdre Scrimgeour, Isobel Reid and Mary McGinley - met recently to decide on the recipient of the award.

The outstanding combination was Sam Rahmatella, from Long Newnton, near Tetbury, and her own May Bee III.

Sam has been given £500 towards her training which she hopes to do with Ferdi Eilberg.

In addition, smaller awards of £125 each have been made to Stephanie Eardley, from Great Somerford, Dyfed's Nicola Howell and Alex Farleigh and Paula Lee who lives in Devon.

Anyone interested in applying for next year's awards should send an sae for an application form to: Mrs J Leighton, Hassage Manor, Faulkland, Bath, BA3 5XG. The closing date is March 1, 2004.