THE death of a much loved pony would break the heart of any teenage girl, but for one Burnley teenager what could have been a tragedy has turned into a dream come true.

Sarah Field, lives with her parents, Susan and John and brother, Robert on Corn Field Farm, Corn Field Grove.

Last year her 12-year-old pony, Golden Star was diagnosed by vets as suffering from wheat poisoning. It got worse for Sarah, 16, who was told that the poisoning had turned to acute laminitis and that led to a break down of the pony's metabolism.

Luckily Golden Star made a full recovery and will be ridden by her at this year's Horse of the Year show at Wembley Arena, London.

Sarah said: "He is lucky to be alive. He was poorly for a long time and didn't compete for three years. If he had not kept trying so hard, we would have no choice but to put him to sleep."

Sarah, who is currently studying for her A-levels at Habergham High's sixth form college, has been a spectator at the event before, but this is the first time she has qualified to ride in the show.

"To get to Wembley is the hardest thing for anyone working with horses to do."

And what of her chances of scooping the mountain and moorland working hunter pony championship?

"The show is all about the prestige of the occasion. That's why people do it, it's not about money.

"I don't want to jinx my chances, but of course I would like to win. Qualifying was good, but to win it would be brilliant."