A HORSE rider from Bishops Lydeard, near Taunton, has been selected to represent the Netherlands in the World Endurance Championships.

Shanti Roos, 47, has been chosen to compete in a 100-mile race against 144 riders from 39 countries.

The race will start at 5.30am on September 7 in Monpazier, France.

Ms Roos said: "This is a dream come true, I have tried to qualify for the Dutch team for nearly 10 years, training on the Quantock Hills and competing in the UK, France, the Netherlands, Spain, and even Costa Rica."

She will ride her nine-year-old Anglo Arabian gelding, Fripon Au Xois.

The Dutch team coach said: "Shanti Roos is the new addition to the Dutch team.

"Her horse Fripon Au Xois has a lot of experience with technical courses in France, which can come in handy in the hilly terrain with many turns in this championship."

(Image: Shanti Roos)

The race is tough, with only 40 per cent completing the test event last year.

Horses get eliminated if their trot is not regular or they have a metabolic issue from not drinking or eating well enough.

Fripon Au Xois has never been eliminated in his career so far.

Outside her equestrian life, Ms Roos runs a holiday let called Triscombe Barns and is a social media campaigner for the Labour Party.

She said: "I enjoyed working in London but nothing beats being back in Somerset and training on the Quantock Hills, there is no better place in the world for me."

Ms Roos started endurance riding on her Quantock Hill pony just over 10 years ago.

She continued: "Endurance riding is a great welcoming sport, anyone with a horse can join and have a go, it is like a pleasure ride without jumps and you get to ride in beautiful places with the gates opened for you - paradise.

"I would encourage everyone to have a look at the national endurance website Endurance GB."

The Dutch federation has announced the participants in the World Endurance Championship in Monpazier.

The Dutch delegation consists of five combinations, the maximum number of entries per country.

Alongside Ms Roos, the other riders are Esther Kalfsbeek, Jarmila Lakeman, Carmen Römer-Theunissen, and Marijke Visser.

The horses and riders will start at 5.30am on September 7 from the equestrian stadium of Monpazier for the 160-kilometre long ride, divided over six laps, each with its own route through nature.