AT only 22 years old Alanna Clarke has built an impressive portfolio of work in dressage, amassing close to 85,000 followers on Instagram before getting selected for the British Dressage National Academy.

Born and raised in Elsecar, Alanna - who describes herself as a ‘proper Barnsley lass’ - has grown up around horses, though never dreamed of competing in dressage.

“My mum found out she was pregnant and before I was even born there was a pony waiting for me,” she told the Chronicle.

“I can’t imagine my life without them.

“When I was younger I always thought I’d be a show jumper, I even started a show jumping Instagram.

“But when I was searching for a new horse I wanted to find something that could do just about anything.

“I ended up finding this absolutely beautiful horse who moved like poetry but had never jumped in her life.

“So that was that - I tripped and stumbled my way into dressage.”

The horse, called Katrina introduced her to the sport which she admits she now finds addictive.

Now, with her ‘one-eyed wonder’ Ella - also known as Golden Girl - Alanna has paved her way to fame, with nearly 85,000 Instagram followers keeping up-to-date with her journey, and thanks to funding from Sports England she will now have the opportunity to train at the National Academy alongside 11 other riders.

“It feels extra special because I’m doing it with Ella,” she added.

“We went through a really hard time when she lost her eye - she had to get surgery and it took a long time before she could get back out.

“We’ve been really fighting for this.

“A lot of people can overlook her, but she’s so incredibly special.”