A nine-year-old Suffolk girl has won a category in a national horse show, made even more remarkable by the fact that she lives with a condition that causes seizures.
Millie Rackham-Cobb, from Wickham Market near Woodbridge, has won the Senior Showing section at the 2023 SEIB British Showing Awards.
The award was conferred during a ceremony held in Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, on Saturday (December 2).
Millie has epilepsy, and has vocal seizures with the condition, but this doesn't stop her from horse riding and taking part in shows.
Born in Suffolk, she currently competes with 19-year-old pony Overley Gamebird Mildred, who she has owned since the age of five, and it has been a successful year for the young rider, who has won many classes and championships.
Ms Rackham said: "It is very exciting. We were chuffed to bits. We went up to Warwickshire for the ceremony and didn't expect to win. There were six finalists and they had to be voted for over a period of a few weeks.
"Millie does struggle with focal seizures and sometimes night seizures too. She often loses her speech a bit, but she lives for her horses.
"She spends all the time she can with her ponies, and has been riding and showing since she was three.
"Her condition means she gets tired quickly, but she knows when she is getting tired and hasn't got the strength, but is able to manage it.
"She is a very brave little girl. She's had a great year, and won so many competitions. She has made many friends in the showing world. We're so proud of her."
The youngster is next set to compete in the Senior Showing and Dressage Finals in the London international Horse Show on December 16.
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