Aled has been riding since he was 2 but started show jumping at the age of 12. Bringing on his own ponies himself with the help of his trainer Janet Green from Pool Quay nr Welshpool and parents.

Brynore Lass was one of his first jumping ponies which was bought from Ellesmere as a young pony and they both learnt to show jump together.

Fortunately with a lot of hard work they achieved their ultimate goal or qualifying for the Horse of the Year show two years on the run (this is the main final for the top 20 in the UK) and represented Wales on the 138cm team winning both bronze and silver medals (there are 4 international competitions held per year in Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales and the team of 4 riders is selected on their performance during these home pony internationals).

In 2007 he hoped to get selected again on the 16 under (148cm) team. He rode Double Bluff a pony kindly lent by Mrs Jenny Hudson and his own young pony whom he is bringing on - More Clover.

Aled is now 16 and has just finished his exams so has been a little difficult to keep up with getting the ponies fit, competing and exams.

He would like to carry on a career with horses as this is his last year in juniors and next year will have to go into the senior section.He hopes to spend a year or two as apprentice with one of the top international riders if he can find someone willing to take him on in 2008.

This is a very expensive and competitive sport. At senior level the top horses can cost millions so the current top senior riders rely heavily on sponsorship and good owners to buy or supply good horses."