Helen West (aged 30yrs) from Ipplepen, took the coveted title in the CCI* at The Mitsubishi Motors Hartpury Horse Trials in Gloucestershire over the weekend of 12th - 15th August.

Riding her own 'Mon Chapelle' (a 17.1hh 7yr old bay gelding), Helen beat off a 125 strong field to win her first 3 Day Event. She was of course a very successful Junior & Young Rider, winning Team gold at the Young Rider European Championships back in 2001 at Waregem, Belgium, but this was her first individual title.

Lying in 10th place after the dressage phase, Helen and the French bred 7yr old posted a fabulous Cross Country round clear, and inside the optimum time, raising her to 4th place (and the highest place Brit) going into the Showjumping phase.

Clear rounds were few and far between on Sunday and the Showjumping proved very influential. Helen kept her cool and jumped a clear round which piled the pressure on the three riders above her, who all faulted, leaving her the clear winner on a score of 47.3

Second placed Georgie Spence finished on 49.9 just 2.6 penalties away from Helen (lowest score wins).

"I was very conscious that lowering just 1 pole would drop us down the order” said Helen. “When I jumped clear, I was delighted, but never in my wildest dreams did I think I would come up to first position!!"

Helen has produced 'Mon Chapelle' (stable name 'Pierre') from a 5yr old and last year qualified him for the PAVO 6yr old Championships, and also secured a place for him on the 2012 Equine Pathway (a programme designed to recognise potential young horses for the future).

"He is such a lovely tempered horse" says Helen of 'Pierre', "my 9yr old niece can lead him to and from the field and even ride him up the drive. He is a real gentleman!!"

Helen is based at Ipplepen, and runs a competition yard from her parents establishment, specialising in producing young horses. She is kindly sponsored by St Davids Equine Veterinary Practice based at Lympstone, Exmouth and was quick to praise her vet Tony Kaye for all the help she had received prior to Hartpury with Pierre's preparation.

"I have some very exciting horses for the future and am very much looking forward to contesting the Young Horse Championships at Osberton International 3 Day Event in Nottinghamshire, in October. Pierre will step up a level and contest the CCI** whilst my 2 exciting 6yr olds 'Strawberry Mojo' and 'Windsurfer' will run in the CCI*"