SOPHIE Gordon fulfilled her childhood dream of racing a pony at the Charles Stanley Old Berks Hunt Point-to-Point meeting yesterday.

The 14-year-old from Appleton raced Midnight Spartacus and finished fifth in the 1.4km race, also taking home a prize for the best turned out competitor.

The Our Lady’s Abingdon School pupil trains around four times a week on her pony, nicknamed Sparky.

Sophie said: “I’ve never done it before. But I love going really fast. It is just really fun.

“I race my friends every week. All my friends think I am a bit crazy because I love to gallop.”

She wants to become a professional event rider.

She goes out regularly on the Old Berkshire Hunt which dates back to 1830. Hunts have been held in the Vale of White Horse since 1760.

Mother Jenny Gordon, dad Mark and her brother James, 15 all turned out in support.

Mrs Gordon said: “It has been her dream to race a horse of her own. She never actually thought she would do such a thing. To have that opportunity is a challenge, but it will be great fun.

“I’ve never been a horse rider, but I spend quite a lot of time driving Sophie around the county.”