BECKY Moody will look to claim an Olympic medal when she competes in the two dressage finals this weekend in Paris.

The 44-year-old from Gunthwaite – who is Barnsley’s only competitor at the current games – made her Olympic debut riding her horse Jagerbomb at Chateau de Versailles on Tuesday.

Her total of 74.938 points was enough to secure top spot in her qualifying group and put her in Sunday’s individual final.

She is also set to compete in the team final tomorrow after qualifying along with Carl Hester and Lottie Fry.

After competing, Becky said: “It was insane. What a stadium, what a crowd and what a horse.

“We were both nervous and apprehensive but we helped each other out.

“I was a little bit nauseous on my Olympic debut but, when we started, I felt much better.

“I was smiling during it because we were having a great time.”

Becky – who runs Moody Dressage with her sister Hannah – bred ten-year-old Jagerbomb at her farm in Gunthwaite where she has lived since she was six.

“It is incredibly special and pure luck.

“It was a mare I bought who had a field injury which ended her career and we bred three foals from her, Bomb was the last one.

“I nearly sold him when he was about five because he wasn’t quite sharp enough and I didn’t think he would have the qualities to be a top class horse.

“Luckily I failed to sell him.

“A few years later we realised he could be quite special.”

Moody was originally the reserve rider for Team GB but is competing because former Olympic champion Charlotte Dujardin has been suspended after a video surfaced of her whipping a horse.

“Fundamentally my overriding emotion was sadness because it’s not a reflection of our sport or of what I know about Charlotte.

“I have seen her compete and train a lot.

“Her statement said everything she needed to say and she’s owned it.

“Everyone has to remember the human in this situation.”