AN EQUINE display team from Saffron Walden – who were backed by Katie Price – has taken second place at a competition held during the British Open Show Jumping Championships at Birmingham s NEC Arena. Saffron Walden Quadrille Team received more than 2500

AN EQUINE display team from Saffron Walden - who were backed by Katie Price - has taken second place at a competition held during the British Open Show Jumping Championships at Birmingham's NEC Arena.

Saffron Walden Quadrille Team received more than 2500 votes for their performance in equine talent spotting competition The H Factor.

They were even supported by glamour girl and dressage rider, Katie Price, who was at the show on the Friday and was very happy to back the all-girl team from Saffron Walden.

The support even spread nationwide after BBC Radio One DJ Edith Bowman mentioned the display team and asked listeners to get behind them and back them in the final.

With only three percent separating the top two acts on Saturday, Saffron Walden was beaten into second place by the full-time professional equine display team, the Knights of Middle England.

The team were very well supported throughout the competition and received very complementary comments from the judges on the final performance.

"We couldn't have done any more" said team member Becky Markillie. "The horses were absolutely amazing, and adjusted to the spotlights, huge arena and audience really well.

"The grooms who also came along and helped get horses and riders into costume for each performance also deserve a special mention!

"We were handed a summary of the text votes cast which said we had 44 per cent and Knights 47 per cent, so considering they are a professional team, we are really really proud of our horses' efforts and how they all coped with such a long show.

"The team would like to thank everyone who voted. The response to display has been overwhelming. We were even asked for our autographs at the show, which was a little surreal!"

The teams' next display will be at the Magic of the Horse, Towerlands Park in Braintree on Saturday April 17.