A young Balloch rider has taken second place in a UK-wide competition for a chance to ride at the prestigious Horse of the Year Show.

Connor Drake, 12, and his horse Greenholme Clyde performed for judges in Rugby at The Showing Register Summer Show with his family travelling south to cheer him on.

He was one of only two young riders in Scotland picked to for the challenge.

Connor’s skill in the saddle saw him picked at a talent spot and then put forward from a pool of more than 1,000 riders from the across the UK to last weekend’s competition.

He was up against nine others in his age range of nine to 14 – including fellow Scot Laura Berrie, 14, from Ayrshire – to win a place at most prized event in the equestrian calendar, the Horse of the Year Show.

The youngsters were battling it out to have the chance to perform in front of GB rider Michael Eilberg in the Horse of the Year Show Ride Off at the big event in October.

Connor took reserve place and he won a tickets for the Horse of the Year Show including a behind the scenes tour as well as a goody bag.

The former Renton Primary School pupil, who will start S1 at Vale of Leven Academy after the summer, has been riding since he was four.

Mum Joanne Drake said: “He was picked from 1150 which went down to 40 and was the youngest in his age group of 12 people out of the whole of the UK. We were amazed and overjoyed that he had been put through since he’s only 12. He put so much hard work into it – he’s so dedicated to his horses.

“He scored 22 out of 25 and got reserve place. He’s been riding since he was four and to get to something as amazing as this we’re all super proud of him. Connor is so excited about going down to the watch the winners in the masterclass at Horse of the Year Show in October.” His gran, Margaret Walsh, added:: “Connor’s been riding all his life. It’s a great achievement for him to get picked and to be the reserve is fantastic. He’s made us all so proud.” Connor attends the North Ayrshire Riding Club which gave him £150 to help him with the competition.

He also takes lessons from Liz Rennie at Lomondside Stud, Balloch and was mentored by Edinburgh horse trainer Richard Telford in the run up to the competition at the weekend. His mum thanked everyone involved for their support.