A TALENTED young endurance rider from Bransgore has beaten her fellow competitors to win a national championship.

Lauren Mills, 18, won the 2012 Young Riders Endurance Nation-al Championship with her grey Arab, Oakleaze Farm Czarko.

The youngster sped round the 80km course at Kings Forest near Bury St Edmunds with an average speed of 22.18kmph.

Lauren has owned Oakleaze Farm Czarko for nearly two years and the pair have won all five of their 80km starts.

Lauren said “I am so pleased with him and absolutely loved riding round the course.

“Czarko is so spirited he just won’t let any horses past him.”

Competing in her first endurance at the age of 12 on her New Forest pony, Lauren rode her mother’s Arab in a few competitions before Czarko arrived.

The pair plan to compete in a two-day 160km ride in August and are aiming at the ultimate endurance goal next year – a one day 160km ride.

She added: “I am hoping if all goes well to get on to the young rider squad next year and compete for a place on the British Young Rider team.”

Lauren’s mother and grandmother have both ridden in endurance and the youngster plans to combine an upcoming job in the NHS with her riding.

The ‘A’ Level student has recently finished studying at Ringwood Language College.

Lauren has been riding since she was five-years-old with West Hants Pony Club. When she was 11-years-old, Lauren won the Ellingham show jumping event.

In more recent years, Lauren has gained many Grade One enduance results.