TWEEDDALE Rideability Group is celebrating success at the recent National Championships of the Riding for the Disabled Association.

At the Championships, held at Hartpury College in Gloucestershire, Tweeddale rider Joe McKinney won sixth place in the walk and trot class.

Joe was expected to ride a horse from a group in Edinburgh, however, due to the heatwave it was decided to not transport horses from Edinburgh to Gloucestershire.

A spokesperson from Tweeddale Rideability Group said: "Joe had been preparing to ride a horse lent by the Ravelrig Group in Edinburgh, but, with the heatwave forecast, the difficult decision was made not to travel the horses from Edinburgh to Hartpury and it looked as if Joe’s chance to compete had gone.

"However, the generosity of RDA groups is amazing and Joe was offered a ride on the beautiful Saxon, owned by the Saxon Group from Wiltshire.

"Joe showed incredible courage in competing at this major event on a horse he had met just a few hours earlier and we were beyond proud when he was placed sixth in a strong class of riders from across the UK.

"There was a massive cheer from the Edinburgh & Borders supporters when the results were announced."

There was also success for the Group in the Arts & Crafts when Seth Sander’s entries in the photographic classes were placed fourth and fifth.

The spokesperson added: "Joe and Seth, you’re a credit to the Tweeddale Rideability Group."