A STUDENT is set to show his skills at one of the biggest equestrian events of the year.

Kieran Taylor, a student at Lakelands Academy in Ellesmere, has qualified to compete in the 138cm category at the Horse of The Year Show Championships at eh Birmingham NEC in October.

The Year 7 pupil competed at a qualifier competition at Keysoe and was the youngest out of the 60 riders to compete in the Under 13 category.

Riding his horse, Ashway el Britanika or Niko for short, Kieran rode three clear rounds of 115cm, a20cm and 125cm jumps - almost the same height as the youngster himself.

He said: "I was really nervous as this is the biggest competition I’ve ever competed in, but it felt really good when I was in the ring and loads of people congratulated me on getting into the Horse of the Year Show.”

Kieran’s older brother Seamus, also competed at the qualifier on two horses, Cookie and Woody.

Seamus did not qualify in his groups this time but there is still time for him to join his brother at the event in October.

He said: "I’m really pleased for Kieran. I didn’t think he’d get there this year. It puts a bit more pressure on me to get qualified myself.”