Algarkirk horsewoman Emily rides out on world stage

But Emily Sands (17), an A-level student at Spalding High School, is more likely to be wearing a cowboy’s stetson hat than a riding helmet as part of the UK’s American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) team for the championships taking place in New South Wales, Australia, between June 23 and July 3.

To take part, Emily has to raise at least £5,000 towards the total of £30,000 it will cost the five-strong team to compete, with the biology, English and sociology student having raised about £3,000 so far.

Emily said: “I’ve been riding American Quarter Horses since I was ten aged 10 after my family moved next door to a professional Western Riding training called Lucy Adams and I started helping out with a few of her horses.

“After starting to attend some big horse shows, I gained a competitive appetite for the sport and, over the years, Lucy trained me hard to the point where I was lucky enough to be selected as the UK team reserve rider at the AQHA YWC in Texas, USA, in 2014.

“Since then, I’ve won gold medals at AQHA ahows around the UK and now I’ve been fortunate enough to be selected as a riding member for this year’s GB team heading to Australia in June to compete against 12 other countries in Western Riding Disciplines.”

Emily is organising a Novelty Dog Show to raise cash for the UK’s AQHA YWC team to be held at Unique Cottage Studios, Fulney Lane South, Spalding, on Sunday, April 24 from 11am.

For more details or to enter, call 01775 713928.

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