A Churton teenager is toasting success after being part of the Great Britain team that won gold at the Pony European Championships in Malmo, Sweden.

Fifteen-year-old Jessica Thomas, a pupil at the Queens School, Chester, impressed at the competition in the saddle of her pony, Another Island, also known as Oscar.

Thomas finished 23rd out of 55 competitors at the competition, helping her GB team to the gold medal, seeing off the challenge of France and hosts Sweden, who finished in second and third respectively.

Thomas was selected for the Championships following strong performances with her 12-year-old grey Connemara geliding, Oscar, at a number of pony trials during the year.

“I’m delighted that all my hard work has paid off,” said Thomas, who took part in the opening ceremony where the ponies paraded around Malmo town centre before the riders had lunch with the Mayor.

“The first day started on the Thursday with the first phase of dressage. I scored 72% which took me into ninth place and the highest place of the Brits. Saturday was the second phase with the cross country, where thousands of spectators came to watch. Oscar performed one of the best rounds yet and just gained one technical error.

“He trotted up sound the next morning in front of all the FEI (Fédération Equestre Internationale) stewards and vets.

“The showjumping was big and the atmosphere was amazing with all the crowds cheering and music playing. The team for Great Britain were amazing. I had an unlucky pole meaning I finished 23rd out of 55 competitors but I was so pleased with Oscar he is the best.”

And Thomas was quick to pay tribute to her mum Henrietta and Oscar following her gold medal triumph with the GB squad.

“I could not have done this without my mother’s continuing support, driving me up and down the country every week plus being the best dressage trainer I could ever have,” said Thomas, who.

“Oscar was amazing and is now having a well-earned break in the field.

“My thanks also go to my sponsors, Olvossa, Charles Owen, Toggi, Freedom Saddlery, Steph Bradley, Point 2, Ariat, Animo and Treehouse. I could not have done it without their equipment and support.”