BOLTON showjumper Charlotte Hamer finished second in the national amateur championships – and could hardly have been closer to taking the title.

The 33-year-old crowned the best season of her career with the runner-up spot at Aintree Racecourse where she was leading until the penultimate competitor took first position from her.

It was the first time she had competed in the National Amateur Showjumping Championships which began with 2,500 competitors in the initial staqes.

Riders had to get through two rounds during the year just to get to the final. And once there they had to successfully negotiate another round at the five-day show at Aintree in order to qualify for the final.

Of the 50 finalists there were 22 clear rounds over the course with 1.10m jumps.

In the jump-off over a shortened but higher course against the clock Charlotte was the longstanding leader as one of only two riders to go clear but having the fastest time.

That was until the second to last competitor jumped clear and pipped her by one and a half seconds.

"I was extremely proud," said the Westhoughton woman who grew up in Chorley Old Road, Bolton.

"I have been riding 12-year-old Camiro Z since February and have built up a strong bond with him.

"I came joint first in the puissance at the North West Championships this year, jumping a wall at 1.60m.

"I have had a great year with him and these have been my best achievements so far. Next year I hope to qualify for the national amateurs again and the 1.15m and 1.20m finals at Scope Showjumping Festival."

Charlotte, who works at an equestrian centre in Westhoughton, has been riding for 27 years.

And going so close to victory only have have it snatched away at the death did not leave the former Turton High and Ladybridge Primary School girl with any feelings of disappointment.

“I was just chuffed that I got a clear round and to be in the prizes,” she said.

Her dad, David, was proud of his daughter's achievement, and admitted he would never have expected it when he first took her riding.

He said: “I plonked here on a horse when she was six years old and thought ‘this won’t last for long’. Little did I know that 30 years later she would still be doing it, and doing well.”