Winchester rider Hilary Mullins enjoyed a fine end to her 2004 British Eventing season, at the sport's final event of the year at Aldon in Somerset.

Hilary, who lives at Chilworth, was competing in the top CCI* (one star international 3 day event) section on offer at Aldon, where entrants had to contend with persistent heavy rain and high winds that proved a real test for both horse and rider.

She finished 13th in a big field on her 16hands bay mare Bumbles, who's now eight years old. The pair lay midfield after the opening dressage phase, which put them in 42nd place at that early stage.

"Bumbles spooked at the flowers in the dressage arena which cost marks, but I was pleased overall and delighted to get a mark of nine for the lengthened stride movement," said Hilary.

The pair then pulled well up the order with a great performance on speed and endurance day, where riders had to tackle the traditional roads and tracks and steeplechase sections as well as the cross country course.

They proved faultless throughout and came home clear and inside the time to move into 19th. Another faultless performance in the final show jumping phase pulled them up to overall 13th place.

Hilary, who's 53, was the oldest woman competitor in the event and was thrilled with her performance. She's in her second affiliated season with Bumbles and the pair previously won the Amateur Home International event at Leamington Spa during the summer.

They've also been going well at novice one-day events this autumn, with sixth placings at both Tweseldown and Iping, in West Sussex.

"Bumbles will do some indoor dressage competitions over the winter and we're hoping to be picked for Great Britain in the European Amateur 3-Day Eventing Championships in Germany next August," said Hilary.

She previously rode for GB in the Nations Cup Showjumping Championships in Ireland in 1996.