Kerstin jumps straight into top flight

Dec 31 2008 by Paul Loraine, The Journal

A NORTH East schoolgirl is taking part in national showjumping competitions less than a year after taking up the sport.

Kerstin Deakin, 11, of Dissington, near Ponteland, finished fifth in her category at Olympia – an international horse show in London earlier this month.

She rode with Ben Maher, who took part in the 2008 Olympics and is ranked 9th in the country by the British Show Jumping Association.

And now Kerstin – who attends Central High School in Jesmond – is preparing to compete in the qualifying rounds for next year’s Hickstead event and the Horse of The Year Show.

Her mum Felicity, 40, said: “She jumps most weeks, travelling all around the country.

“I think she’s come on so quickly because she absolutely loves it and she has no fear.

“She also has a lovely pony – Red Hot Patootie.

“It went fantastically well at Olympia. Ben Maher was lovely and she really enjoyed herself.

“She would love to continue doing what she’s doing for a long time, I think, but it’s a very competitive field. You can never say never though.”