Hayley GibbsAlison Bailey recorded a top three finish at a recent event in Northamptonshire - but not in the manner she was expecting. Alison, from Newton St Faith, was entered for the Aston le Walls BE100 but the week before the event she had a fall so withdrew her horse,.Hayley Gibbs

Alison Bailey recorded a top three finish at a recent event in Northamptonshire - but not in the manner she was expecting.

Alison, from Newton St Faith, was entered for the Aston le Walls BE100 but the week before the event she had a fall so withdrew her horse,.

However rather than losing her entry money she decided to drag along her 15hh horse Barney Bean, who she's had for nearly eight years in a field and spent five days working him.

Now he's no dressage horse and certainly no cross country horse but she thought she'd give it a shot.

However he was in the lead after dressage on a 33pc, then went double clear and with only four time penalties in the cross country finished in a fabulous third place. That's a great achievement as Barney Bean lost the sight in this right eye last year and spent two months in Rossdales.

This story just goes to prove you don't need two eyes to be successful, just a big heart. Alison commented that 'he's a very trusting horse'

t Brigid Fairman and her home bred gelding, Silver Oliver recently took part in an FEI endurance competition in Euston Park where was riding in an international race with riders from Spain, France, Pakistan, India, Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates.

She told me that apart from Sheik Mohammed, who was taking part in the 100 mile race, she was one of the oldest riding. The race was 50 miles and they completed it in just over four hours.

t Side Saddle rider Sarah Walker and her horse Kharlo have had another string of successes at the Area 4 Summer Show at Beyton, near Bury St Edmunds.

In the Open Equitation they won the class and got the best turned out rosette and the Sir Lancelot rosette, which is for the most elegant rider. They have again have qualified for this class at the National Championships at Addington Manor EC, Buckinghamshire in August. They also took home a lovely shield.

In the Concours d'Elegance they came second. The sole criterion for this class is the elegance of the picture presented by horse/pony and rider.

Finally they won the Costume Concours d'Elegance, a class which is for the elegance of the picture presented by horse/pony and rider and costume worn depicting the period of the time.

The pair also won the adult rider championship and received a lovely silver tray trophy.