Shropshire's rising para-equestrian star Lydia Aucott admits she would not have taken up the sport had it not been for her mum buying her a dream birthday present – a lesson with Paralympics legend Lee Pearson.

The 17-year-old has ridden horses since she was young but had not considered competitions prior to the lesson three years ago with Pearson.

The Paralympian suffers from the same Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita condition as Aucott but has won a staggering ten gold medals across four Games.

Since the masterclass Aucott has gone on to ride for Great Britain at the Bishop Burton International event earlier this year and has her sights set on bigger things.

“I’ve ridden all my life but I had a lesson about three years ago with Lee Pearson, a Paralympic gold medallist, and he asked me why I wasn’t graded and why I wasn’t doing para-dressage. So, I got graded and as they say, the rest is history."

“Lee has been chosen as my mentor so I talk to him quite lot and get on with him really well. He has given me lots of general advice; like just try to ride the best you can and just keep calm."

“Also my trainer Nicky Lickley really helps with riding and gets me motivated to go up the levels rather than just stay still.”

The Jaguar Land Rover Academy of Sport is a scheme that helps the country’s brightest stars and has seen Aucott receive expert advice from some of the country’s biggest names.

Aucott recently attended a workshop hosted by Rugby Union World Cup winner Lewis Moody and also included guests lectures from the likes of Sharon Davies and Maggie Alphonsi.

And with a host of stellar names behind her, Aucott is hoping 2016 will be another year of progression.

“I’ve just bought a new horse out for this season so I’ve been trying to work up the levels with this one,” she added. "My aim for the year is to continue with this horse and to try to move up into the team in individual tests.”

Lydia Aucott attended the Jaguar Land Rover Academy of Sport workshop, mentored by ambassadors Lewis Moody and Maggie Alphonsi and SportsAid patrons Danny Crates, Bryan Steel and Kerri-Ann Payne. For more information visit sportsaid.org.uk