TALENTED young riders from Ripon Grammar School have made it to the national finals of a prestigious equestrian competition for the second year running.

Three teams of students from across all year groups competed in the challenging qualifying round of the National School Equestrian Association Championships.

Siblings Sophie and Izzy Bean, aged 12 and 15, from Lower Dunsforth, and Imogen and George White, 12 and 14, from Ampleforth, along with Izzy Kirby, 14, from Richmond, have all made it to the finals, which will be held at the famous Hickstead Sussex showground on May 23 to 25.

One of a small number of state schools taking part, they beat high-performing teams from independent schools throughout the North at the qualifying event, held at the Northallerton Equestrian Centre.

Now they will face teams from all over the country, including Millfield School and Marlborough College, in the finals.

Art teacher Fiona Henson, who helps organise the team, said it was "a great achievement".