IT has been a great year for Hatton rider Emma Tate.

Despite being only 10 years old, Emma has already been riding for five years and the early start to her equestrian career has paid dividends in a successful 12 months.

Emma, who attends St Matthews School in Stretton, has been crowned mini supreme champion and reserve supreme champion at the Shires Championship Show in Staffordshire, and that has been one of many achievements during 2005.

With the help of her pony, Penwisg Banjo, last month she was chosen as the mini champion of champions at the NCPA Pony of the Year Show, where she also took first position in the Mountain and Moorland Novice First Ridden competition.

Prior to that, she finished in second place at the Microponies First Ridden and Reserve Championship at the Ponies UK Summer Championships in Nottinghamshire, as well as winning the Microponies First Ridden competition at the Ponies UK West Show.

In April, Emma qualified for the Ponies UK Winter Championships in Bedfordshire, where she finished third in the Mountain and Moorland Open Brineton First Ridden event.