A HEREFORDHIRE rider made the Elementary Open Championship her own by posting one of the highest scores at the LeMieux National Dressage Championships.

Laura Wollen, who lives near Ledbury, rode her eight-year-old gelding Woodlander Buddy Holly, owned by Helen Farley-Higgs.

The pair scored a remarkable 76.28% to head the class field in which the top 15 competitions all breached the 70% barrier.

“This feels amazing, I’m absolutely thrilled," said Wollen.

“He went in there and just wanted to do it.

"Earlier I saw a couple of high scores but told myself to not keep checking them.

We just rode the best we could and it came off.

“I’m lucky that he has an amazing walk that can earn nines so, for me, they’re free marks.

"He can move to medium or collected walk and the rhythm stays the same.

"His medium trots weren’t so good but the marks he earns for his walk would have helped to make up for it.”

Woodlander Buddy Holly first made an impression on Wollen when she saw him in young horse classes ridden by previous owner Abi Slater.

With Slater, he also came third in the novice at the Winter Championships before having a quiet year and was then for sale the following spring.

“I remembered seeing and loving him as a young horse, and so I snapped her hand off – it all happened very quickly and he arrived with me last April," added Wollen.

"He was quite weak so we did lots of hacking and hill work, and he took to the training very well.

"He really enjoys his work.”

Wollen, who trains with Peter Storr, has received a great grounding as former rider for Hawtins Stud during which time she competed at four national championships.

This background has stood her in good stead for the next chapter of her career – setting up a yard of her own.

"I now have my own yard near Ledbury and have between six and nine horses in at a time," added the 26-year-old.

" For me it’s the dream – something I’ve always wanted to do.”