Simon flying high in bid for the Olympics

Currently ranked fifth in the UK, Simon won the senior men's competition with a score of 5,484. Trials for the GB squad will take place in December and January.

Simon, from near Driffield, has been competing for 15 years in the UK and internationally. The pentathlon involves riding, shooting, fencing, swimming and running. The championships were held at Bishop Burton College which is a regional training centre for Pentathlon GB.

Simon, 26, is being supported in his training by the RAF, who have released him temporarily from his job so that he can train at the World Class Performance Centre in Bath. "I need to be in the top two nationally to stand a chance of being selected for the next Olympics," said Simon.

A number of younger athletes train regularly at Bishop Burton College. Among them is Georgia Pipes, 14, from Easingwold, who won the Girls' Section C at the championships with a score of 5,266. She began competing in pentathlon after taking part in Pony Club tetrathlon events.

If you are interested in trying out pentathlon at the college, email yorkspentathlon@bt

internet.com or contact Ann Marshall on 07967 918110.

EQUINE vet Vincenzo Franco, whose practice is in Goole, has been chosen as one of the three finalists for the Petplan Equine Vet of the Year award.

The winner will be announced at the Animal Health Trust Equestrian Awards evening in London on November 4.

Vincenzo, who lives in Finningley, Doncaster, qualified as a vet in Italy. He has worked with horses for nearly 20 years, 14 of which he spent working with racehorses.

He joined a large practice when he moved to the UK and set up on his own in Goole just a year ago. Those nominating him for the award said he was calm under pressure and had a perfect "bedside manner" with all horses. They were also impressed by his willingness to explain everything in detail and in laymen's terms.

Horse owners from all over the UK nominated over 200 vets for the award, from which three finalists were selected.

THE Horse of the Year Show proved to be memorable for many Yorkshire owners and breeders. Just qualifying for the prestigious event is something to celebrate and for Ilkley's Carol Dawson, her first visit to HOYS was certainly one she will not forget.

Her home-bred horse, Beamsley Gunna Do It (Rupert), ridden by Katie Owens, came fourth in the riding horse section of the Search for a Star competition. "I have never competed at HOYS, nor spectated, so what an experience we had," said Carol. The five-year-old also competed at the Royal International.

THE imposing main ring at the Great Yorkshire Show ground was the setting for the recent Harrogate Ladies' College Equestrian Team Challenge. A total of 48 show-jumping teams competed in two categories, juniors and seniors, with four riders per team.

The junior section was won by the Rich Tea team, who had a faultless round to beat their nearest rivals, Ryedale Raiders, by seven seconds. The senior competition was won by Rochdale Raiders, with Brad's team a close second.

The winners were allowed to enjoy the thrill of galloping down the grandstand side of the ring.

KATE JOHNSON from Grimsby has qualified for next year's Petplan Equine Area Festivals Championships after performing well in the area festival at the Sheepgate Equestrian Centre.

Riding the 12-year-old mare Asgard, Kate had a scoreof 64.85 per cent to win the advanced medium open class and qualify for the championships which take place at Hartpury in April.