A COUNTY teenager finished her maiden eventing season with a narrow second place after being penalised for completing a cross country course too fast.

Molly Baker, aged 15, from Pencombe, represented her Hereford Cathedral School in the National Schools Equestrian Association One Day Event Championships and British Connemara Pony Society Evening Championships which took place in Gloucestershire.

Baker riding her horse Rathlacken Donal, also known as Zippy, felt her dressage mark was a little harsh at 32.8.

This was mainly due to the poor weather conditions which caused tension at times throughout the test.

However, the pair were still in second place after the dressage.

Putting that behind them, they went onto the show jumping where they had a quick and clear round and then finally onto the cross country which was also another clear round. Rathlacken Donal showed that he had grown in confidence over the summer to clear the test.

Unfortunately the pair were one second too fast so gained another 0.8 penalties on top of their dressage score, resulting in second place overall by 0.2 penalties behind the winner, for both the NSEA championships and BCPS Championships.

"I have had a fantastic first season eventing with Zippy," said Baker.

"We have been placed in the top 10 every time, including a win and also three second places. Zippy is now having a well deserved break in readiness for next season."