Pony girl's success

A GIRL from Heathfield beat hundreds of others to take part in the Pony Club international games to mark the Jubilee.

The Prince Philip Cup games take place every year and are internationally recognised. This year the games were held at Ascot. The teams came from around the globe with strong contenders representing Canada, Australia and the USA. But the British team still managed to finish 12 points in front giving them the gold medal.

Natasha Sylvester from Heathfield was part of the British team. Natasha, 15, has been part of the local pony club scene for many years and rides a variety of ponies.

For the competition she used ponies provided by the local branch of the pony club as well as ponies supplied from elsewhere to keep the competition fair for the overseas teams. She said: 'This was a once in a lifetime experience and I would not have missed it for anything, I will cherish the memory always.'

Natasha is coming to the end of her pony club competing days due to her age, but wants to take on the training of the junior teams and take the place of her teacher, Ronnie Jones, who is emigrating to Australia.