Danielle is the perfect Ryder for Sam at national event

Riding on her own Sam van de Tojopehoeve Z (pictured), she was announced as the winner of the Lord and Lady Equestrian Senior Newcomers Championship at Aintree Equestrian Centre.

Thirteen combinations jumped clear in the first round from a starting field of 34 with only three of them managing to go on and post a double clear.

The jump-off course, designed by Mark McGowan, was a winding one with a final right rein push to a vertical set on the short edge that almost dared the riders to run long and take a stride out to it.

It was here where many hopes were heart-breakingly dashed when, having jumped clear up until that point, they touched one of the front or back poles on the oxer to pick up penalties just before the finishing line.

Producing the first clear of the jump off in a time of 36.61 seconds, it was a waiting game for Ryder and the eight-year-old bay gelding Sam, as he is known at home.

Despite two further clears being achieved, neither were able to get near Ryder’s time.

She held on to her early lead with James Smith and Joyride CMS taking second with their time of 38.42 seconds and Gemma Chapman and I Luna L taking third (41.99).

It was Charlie Dawson and Iloma that took fourth as the fastest on four faults with Chantelle Duggan and Linton de la Chapelle taking fifth and Jessica Botham on Fairmont III in sixth.

Ryder said: “John Ledingham had told me about the horse so I went to see him and I bought him from Charlotte Hutchinson who had had him from four-years-old.

“He is such a careful horse and he’s very competitive so I think it’s easy when you have one that’s like him and wants to win.

“He’s beginning to learn to be a bit more ride-able in a smaller arena – this was the first test for that and I think he will get even better as he gets more experience in the championship arenas.”

The British Showjumping Indoor Championships runs between the 7 – 11 October at Aintree Equestrian Centre with a number of the major British Showjumping national titles being run across the event.