Newark teenager triumphs in the Premier Equine Youth Inter Regionals in Lincolnshire, run by British Dressage, as part of the North & East team, which won for the third year in a row.

A Newark teenager is trotting to success after winning a regional dressage competition.

Lexie Howe, of Newark, triumphed in the Premier Equine Youth Inter Regionals as part of the North & East team, which won for the third year in a row.

Run by British Dressage, over the years some of the Britain’s best riders have taken part in the competition as they rose through the ranks.

Riding her pony, Rosewater Rockstar, Lexie was on form all weekend, narrowly missing out on her individual podium place, taking 4th place, but contributing towards her team’s win in the group competition.

Impressively, the 13-year-old only started riding around five years ago, when she began taking lessons at Newark Equestrian.

Her family supported her interest and spurred her on as she entered the world of horse eventing, and despite her youth Lexie has made impressive progress in the sport — rising to become one of the country’s top ten riders in both dressage and showjumping within her age group.

Lexie’s dad, Graham Howe, said: “It’s amazing, she’s competing against some of the best in the country and doing so well.

“This was her first competition and I know there was a little bit of pressure, but she’s worked so hard and we are so proud of her.

“Horses was just a hobby that evolved from her love of animals, and now she’s six times a week and spends her weekends mucking out the stables.

“She’s very dedicated but not getting ahead of herself. She’s taking everything one step at a time, getting better and better, which I think is a really grown up attitude.”

Lexie hopes to become a horse trainer when she is older, with an ambition to one day represent England.