A TALENTED horse rider from Harwood is to star on TV in the equestrian version of The Apprentice.

Issy Nami, aged 20, beat off competition from more than 100 other entrants to be selected as one of eight finalists to appear on the Blue Chip All Star Academy.

The five part series will be screened on Horse & Country TV, which is available on Sky, and will also be shown in Ireland, Germany, Sweden, Australia and The Netherlands.

Issy, a former pupil at Turton School, had to submit a video explaining her love of horses and why she wanted to appear on the show. The overall winner, chosen by a panel of experts, will get the opportunity to co-host an episode on Horse & Country TV, earn a year’s sponsorship from horse feed company Blue Chip Feed, and have the chance to become video bloggers for the channel’s website.

During the show, contestants take part in different challenges testing their ability to care for horses and managing stables, as well as riding the horses. They are also invited into the 'blue room', the shows equivalent of the 'diary room' in reality show Big Brother, to test out their presenting skills. Filming for the show is complete and the winner is being kept under wraps. Issy spent time at the Talland School of Equitation in Gloucestershire for a three day camp where she met the other finalists.

Issy explained a love of all things equine was fostered from a young age, first riding a horse aged just five.

She said: "My mum had horses when I was younger, and I just loved riding them. I got my first horse Gucci when I was 18, and I've not looked back since."

Issy, who trains with instructor Stephanie Holker at Red Earth Equestrian Centre in Edgworth, takes part in dressage competitions, the equivalent of gymnastics for horses. She took part in her first competition in 2013, has qualified for the British championships and wants to go to the Olympics, and emulate the likes of gold medal winning dressage rider Charlotte Dujardin.

She added: "That is the dream. Dressage has become more well known after our success in the Olympics, so it would be amazing to be able to do that one day."

The first episode will air on Sunday, June 12, at 9pm.