Equestrianism: Gray travels well: American success

MARY GRAY travelled from Maine in the United States to win yesterday's International Friendly Competition for Driving, which was held in conjunction with the World Dressage Championships for Disabled Riders, writes Genevieve Murphy from Hartpury College, Gloucestershire. Gray, 46, is disabled as a result of contracting polio as a child, and this was her first overseas trip.

'I think I'll come again,' she said after her victory with Merlyn, a grey Welsh Cob who is owned by Sue Riches, organiser of the driving competition. 'I pulled him out of the field because we were short of a pony,' Riches said of the 17-year-old, who has not competed for six years.

Gray, who has two adopted sons, raised pounds 3,500 to make the trip with two friends. She competes in open competitions with her own Welsh Cob at home and she drives a sleigh in the winter.

Karl-Bernd Kasgen finished second and helped the German team to victory. Dilly Ahern, who was third, drove for the England team that took the runner-up awards.

The riders from 16 nations taking part in the dressage championships will be competing for team and individual world titles today.