IN JUST a year Burnley's George Connor has risen from novice to having a shot at a national crown.

On Saturday Connor and his horse Hamilton The Second compete in the Heavyweight Cob section at the Horse Of The Year Show at Birmingham's NEC.

And for Connor it is the culmination of what has been a lightning journey.

"I have only been involved in riding in any fashion for two years," revealed Connor.

"My partner Rebecca has been riding most of her life and I took it up but only with the intention of going with her as company.

"But I went along with her to a show to act as groom and I just thought 'I could do that!' and the bug bit."

The category in which George is competing is for showing but despite his lack of experience he has been able to quickly make the grade.

He qualified for the national finals as long ago as June in a show in Cheshire but he is still coming to terms with the fact that he will be rubbing shoulders with the country's cream in his event.

"My first proper show was this season when I started at point zero with the Ribble Valley Riding Club event," he explained.

"Now we are heading for a Birmingham where it will be a full weekend of work.

"We travel on Friday and compete over the weekend before returning late on Sunday.

"We feel that we can do well, even if it is our first show at this level.

"We are up against the cream of the crop and in many ways it is just nice to be competing against the likes of Lynn Russell, who are the best.

"But with just a little bit of luck, hopefully we can also be competitive as well as getting the experience at this level."