A CUMBRIAN horse management student from Newton Rigg College is one step closer to the career of her dreams..

Eighteen year old Mollie Cartwright has been offered a work placement with top Yorkshire rider and dressage expert Melissa Chapman.

Melissa rides up to Grand Prix level and competes nationally across the UK, as well as training, eventing and producing horses for sale. Mollie has now been invited to join Team Chapman Equestrian.

Melissa commented: "Mollie came for a month last summer carrying out yard duties, which is everything from mucking out, to cleaning tack to riding out. She was absolutely brilliant.

"We're a small, close knit group and when she joins us a working pupil, she will be the fifth full time member of the team and I know she will be a great addition."

Like many equine students, Mollie stabled her own horses within the college livery yard. The benefits of additional instruction and experience not only fed her enthusiasm for the sport but enabled her to develop her competition skills.

Most recently she has participated to elementary level in the college unaffiliated dressage competitions.

Mollie said: "I can't wait to start at the yard, it's a wonderful opportunity for me. I love dressage and in time would really like to ride professionally or be an international competition groom."