FOR the first time in her life Rebecca Bryston will be only too pleased to cancel her holiday. Rebecca, who is 24 and lives at Rushock, near Droitwich, has qualified for the Horse of the Year Show at the NEC which is due to start on Wednesday.

She qualified at Adlington Manor Equestrian Centre in Buckinghamshire at the South Essex Insurance Brokers Search for a Star Championship.

Rebecca was one of 22 entries in the working hunter class and rode her own six-year old bay gelding, QI – also known as Quassi – qualifying for the show.

She has only just returned to riding after a three-year break during which time she concentrated on her career as a sales manager.

Rebecca has owned the horse for a year during which time the partnership has enjoyed success in show jumping and working hunter classes. Her 16-year-old sister Zoe helps out as groom.

Rebecca said: “This is amazing. I have a holiday booked in Lanzarote for the same time as the Horse of the Year Show which I will be delighted to cancel.”

She and Quassi have competed in British Show Jumping Association and one-day events, earned £300 in BSJA winnings and the pair won at the Equifest championships.

Rebecca said: “We have been taking it slowly and I am very surprised to win but he will be fine at the Horse of the Year Show as he is so laid back.

“We have been to watch but I never thought we would be competing there.”