CLYRO rider Emma Beaumont is celebrating after a little of the 'luck of the Irish' helped her to the biggest win of her eventing career, writes Richard Prime.

Emma and her horse Padraig's Dream, a nine-year-old bay gelding bred in Ireland, have worked their way up through the grades at British eventing venues throughout the country over the last four years, graduating through pre-novice and novice to intermediate.

And it was at intermediate level that the pair struck gold last Sunday, carrying off the title at the Welsh Championships at Chepstow Racecourse.

The win completed a county double, as Emma succeeded Eardisley rider Louise Skelton who won the title last year and finished in third place this time around.

"Padraig was lying fourth after a reasonable dressage of 30," said Emma. "The show jumping is always a slightly worrying time for me and I was very relieved when we were over the last clear.

"We went cross country clear without any time faults which was also a relief as on our previous outings we have had time faults for going too fast. So, when we landed over the last, I took a slight pull which was a good thing as we were still quite a quick time, but with no penalties on this occasion.

"We all need a bit of extra luck sometimes."

Emma's family has a great tradition of equestrianism as her late grandfather Vivian Bishop was master of fox hounds for the Golden Valley Hunt and her grandmother Hazel Bishop was district commissioner of the Golden Valley Pony Club for more than 40 years.

"I learnt so much from her and am still gaining from her knowledge," said Emma, who acknowledged the assistance given with show jumping by Rosie Thompson, with whom Padraig is stabled, and from Serena Pincus with dressage.

"The foundation of eventing is the dressage, as without a good mark it is very hard to recover and gain a good position," said Emma.

" So much is owed to her."