Oxfordshire's Zoe Wilkinson is riding high after winning the Mark Todd Bridging The Gap Scholarship.

The 24-year-old, who lives at Hatford, near Stanford in the Vale, captured the prize after coming out on top of seven riders on the final selection day.

She was chosen by a judging panel made up of Sir Mark Todd, British Eventing coaches Lizzel Winter and Gill Watson, and representatives from BTG sponsors, Keyflow Feeds and the Mark Todd Collection.

Wilkinson will now receive a significant support package for the 2015 competition season, including three individual training sessions and mentoring from Todd.

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She also wins £1,500 worth of Keyflow Feed plus nutritional advice, as well as clothing, tack and horsewear from the Mark Todd Collection, also to the value of £1,500.

Wilkinson said: “I am so surprised as I’d been watching everyone ride and the standard was really high.

“To be mentored by Mark Todd is an amazing opportunity, every part of the scholarship will be important to me.

“Getting feed and advice from Keyflow and products from the Mark Todd Collection will all prove invaluable.”

Wilkinson began eventing when just 14-years-old with an ex-racehorse that she re-trained herself.

The co-founder of EZ Equestrian in 2011, she has gone on to have great success producing young horses, winning the Burghley Young Event Horse Finals in 2012 and 2013 with Parkfield Quintessential.

Her top horse, GHS Calvaruise, was injured from 2012 to 2013, but this year has become very competitive at intermediate level, and has just completed his first advanced competition.

Wilkinson hopes to aim him at the Bramham Under 25’s or the Blenheim Palace CCI*** next year.

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