There was no horsing around for two teenage show jumpers after they qualified for the finals of a prestigious national championship.

Belbroughton's Jamie Cotton and Emma Williamson, from Halesowen, are both through to the finals of the Dengie Winter League Pony Club show jumping championships, due to be held at Warwickshire College this weekend.

The Dengie series is open to riders aged under 21 who are members Pony Clubs and thousands of youngsters from across the UK entered the competition with less than 80 making the national final itself.

Jamie, aged 15, and a pupil at Haybridge School qualified two ponies for the championships.

He is through to the Dengie Novice Championship on the bay of pony Forever Star Turn, who won the regional final in fine style to gain his ticket and will be a strong fancy for the title.

He also has the grey Sheyria Davey, his partner of the past 18 months, through to the Dengie Open Championship, held over the biggest course at the finals.

Dad, David Cotton, said: "He actually qualified both his ponies for the Dengie Open Championship, after finishing second and third at the area qualifier on Sheyria Davey and Forever Star Turn."

"However the Pony Club rules say the same pony cannot compete in the two finals, which we are very disappointed about.

"I've been pushing hard to try and get this changed, but it won't happen in time for this final and Jamie deserves to ride in both. It's caused quite a controversy."

Jamie is also enjoying success in affiliated junior show jumping classes and has qualified for next months national Blue Chip Championships, due to be held at Solihull Riding Club's arena in the West Midlands.

His dad added: "Jamie is really flying at the moment and he could be a serious contender for the Olympics in the future - he is very talented."We didn't go out and buy ready made ponies for him and both his rides came to us as novices who had done little. He's brought them on himself which is something to be very proud of."

Emma Williamson, aged 17, who also attends Haybridge, will be riding Patrick at the Championships.