A teenage showjumper from Meopham has been selected to represent Great Britain at the U16 European Championships in France next week.

Gravesend Grammar School student Alex Chitty, 15, will ride treasured family pony Amilie JRZ for one of the final times in a major competition before she is sold at the end of the year.

Alex, who got into showjumping after watching the Horse of the Year Show on television aged nine, was selected for the Europeans in Fontainebleau after a series of trials, the last of which he won.

Mum Amy said: "Alex has jumped abroad for Great Britain in the Nations Cup and won team gold but to get a call-up to the European Championships is the ultimate.

"He’s been watched in trials since April and worked so hard but it was still a shock to get the call. It’s our equivalent of the Olympics.

"We’re just a normal family, which is very unusual in showjumping. Other kids are from privileged backgrounds and have been given a leg up but Alex’s success is all about hard work.

"In theory, he should qualify for the individual final on the Sunday but you just never know."