DAIRY farm livestock manager Sally Ellis-Gray, from Bridgwater, has realised a long-held ambition when heading the SEIB Insurance Brokers Search for a Star working show horse section at Stretcholt, Somerset, with her home-bred Polden Partytime (Inky).

Ellis-Gray, 56, said: “I’ve been trying to qualify for the Horse of the Year Show on and off since I was about 11 - first with show ponies, then Prince Philip Cup [mounted games] and jumping."

She rears calves and heifers on a 700-cow dairy farm and has ridden all her life in a number of disciplines.

Ellis-Gray added: “I did go into this competition thinking I might have a chance but was pretty overwhelmed when they called my number.

“We gave it our best shot but I still ‘came over all funny’, as my Gran would have said.”

Inky represents the fourth generation of home-breeding for Sally.

“She’s a true all-rounder, winning at eventing, dressage, arena eventing and showing as a small hunter and riding horse.

“She’s now 11 but, due to an injury as a youngster, she didn’t really start her career until she was seven.

“If I had to sum her up in one word, it would be ‘smiley’.

"She does most things with a smile and loves to please.”