Steventon's Ami Measor is setting her sights on national glory at the British Open Show Jumping Championships at the NEC, Birmingham, later this year.

The 21-year-old rider has just qualified for the prestigious event on April 16 with victory aboard Belle Fleur in the 1.20 British Open qualifier class at Crofton Manor, Fareham.

She came out on top of an 86-strong field on the seven-year-old bay mare – who resides at owner Jane Dexter’s Blewbury Riding Stables – to claim one of the three qualifying places for the championships.

Having come safely through the first round, Measor took her place alongside 14 other riders in the jump off.

“I was drawn 13th, which is really unlucky because I hate going 13th and there were already two clear rounds,” she said.

“I knew I needed to go quite fast because there were two after me and I went into the lead and won.

“I was really pleased. It was only her third show back after she had an injury in August.

“We thought she had broken her leg, but it turned out she had pulled a muscle really badly in her shoulder.”

Measor, who competed at the Horse of the Year Show in 2002 and 2003, and Belle Fleur are set to warm up for their big day at Birmingham in the Blue Chip finals at Hartpury College, near Gloucester, in the spring. And she believes that they have every chance of some success.

“If she stays on the form she is on now, I think she might win,” she added.