A Bury St Edmunds teenager with a passion for horse eventing has been commended for her resilience after her first national win of the year was followed by shock emergency surgery.

Mia Archer, 16, was rushed to hospital with abdominal pain just hours after being crowned junior winner at the Harry Hall One Club ACE Championships, a competition that involves both show jumps and a simulated cross-country course of knock down fences.

After spending the afternoon celebrating her success at the Aintree Equestrian Centre, Mia was travelling home with her parents, Liz and James, when she began to feel unwell. 

Liz said: “Mia had an amazing afternoon. She was so pleased to win the junior one metre category with her beloved horse, Miss Poppy ll, after being unsure if she would be able to complete the course. It really was a surreal experience for her. 

“On the way home, Mia said she felt unwell and quickly deteriorated, resulting in her being in agonising pain which was really scary." 

She was rushed to A&E where she underwent emergency surgery to remove an ovarian cyst the following day.

Liz continued: "It was such a shock! Just hours before she was celebrating her win at the event but her resilience shone through and we’re so proud of her positive attitude towards her recovery - she was soon eager to jump back on the horse." 

Mia is now back in the saddle and ready to compete in her second Harry Hall One Club ACE Championship qualifying event. 

Liz Hopper, managing director at Harry Hall, said: “It’s brilliant to hear that Mia is back riding again after her health scare - she’s a fantastic junior rider and her win at the Harry Hall One Club ACE Championships was really well deserved.

“Our One Club membership platform allows us to make equestrianism as accessible and affordable for as many people as we can - we’re dedicated to providing a helping hand for horse owners and riders of all ages and abilities."

Mia said: "It was scary at the time, but once I started to feel better I missed being out with Poppy and when I was able to, we were back together planning to enter more competitions.

"Horse riding is my life," she added.