A Builth Wells resident has returned from a big win after competing in the Mediterranean Equestrian Tour competition.

Amy Evans came home with a win, and other placings, including 2 x 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 7th, out of large class numbers.

Speaking to The Brecon and Radnor Express, Amy said: “Representing the country out in Spain is such an incredible feeling especially when you win and hear the National Anthem playing.

“From a very young age seeing people competing out abroad I knew it was a huge dream of mine to do it one day, but realistically I never thought I’d ever get there. Luckily since 2023 I’ve now competed in Spain, France and Mexico.”

Amy’s love for horses started with a loaned Shetland Pony called Bow Tie, and she has competed since a very young age, starting with her first competition pony, a little grey pony called Dusty. “When I was young, I competed at all the well-known pony shows with great success, and I have moved from competing on ponies to horses and I am now climbing my way through the heights and classes in the senior competition world, currently jumping three main horses Vesper, Narco and a new one called Flo.”

It was Flo that Amy competed with in Spain. “Flo had actually only been with us for a number of weeks. We actually bought her through word of mouth and I feel extremely lucky for Sam, Flo’s previous owner, to have trusted me to have her. The week after buying Flo, I actually left for France for 3.5 weeks to compete on one of my others, so when I was offered to go out to Spain it felt like a great opportunity to take Flo to get to know her. I went with no expectations and to just get to know each other so to come away with a 1st, x2 2nd , 3rd, 5th and 7th was pretty incredible and we can’t wait to see what the future holds as we move up the heights together.”

It’s a partnership that looks set to last. “Next for me is a couple of weeks chill for Flo, whilst I get the others back up and running and to full fitness ready for some winter shows. I produce 128 and 138 ponies so it’s a busy few months of getting them ready for their new homes in spring. Next year I hope to jump at all the big international shows again and I hope to head back abroad at some point too. I would absolutely love to have a three or four year old horse also join the team to jump some age classes and take up through the levels.”