Watford competition yard owner Alison Cahill and her seven-year-old gelding Egano have claimed a national victory in the Petplan Equine Novice Restricted Area Festival Championship.

Cahill clinched the national title at the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships which were held at Hartpury Arena in on Saturday.

Egano was originally bought as a showjumper to sell on but Alison soon spotted his potential for dressage. It was the first championship for the pair from Potten Farm Equestrian near Watford.

Cahill said: “The test went well especially since it was our first big show. He felt a bit tense but he relaxed eventually. He even did a ‘bow’ at the end. It feels amazing to be a champion.

“I would like to step Egano up to elementary by the end of the year, he’s got great scope even though he’s quite immature.”