A Shropshire schoolgirl has been named leading rider at the Scottish Pony of the Year show.

Olivia Poole, from Dorrington, near Shrewsbury, won four classes and was placed in four others at the competition.

The 10-year-old won more than £300 in prize money and two rugs for her ponies, as well as appearing on Sky Sports.

Her father, Colin, said she won the leading rider award and the coveted 128cm Scurry Grand Prix.

He said: “Over three days of competition, jumping fences up to 1.2m high, Olivia won a total of four classes and was placed in four others.

“She won more than £300 in prize money together with two rugs for her ponies and two more major trophies for her cabinet.”

Earlier in the year, Olivia had been successful at the English Pony of the Year Show, where she outperformed her rivals and was seen on Sky Sports competing in the SCOPE show jumping event, claiming third place.

Olivia, a pupil at Shrewsbury Girls’ High School Prep Department, fits her riding in around her schoolwork.

She said: “The school has been really brilliant allowing me time off to go and compete at places like Scotland, although my teacher insists that I catch up with my schoolwork afterwards.

“My trainer Janet Jackson is also great. Even though she lives in Preston, she comes down every week . . . to teach me and travels around the country with me to every competition. I could not do this without her.”

Next on Olivia’s agenda is the England Home Pony International in over a week’s time and then she begins the qualification process for Hickstead and the Horse of the Year Show in 2010.