A business and science student from Auckland's North Shore has won Equestrian Sport New Zealand's 2013-14 Young Rider eventing series.
Lauren Alexander, 19, beat 48 riders aged from 14 to 21 in the series that ran across New Zealand from September 2013 and May 2014.
The winner is judged on the scores from their top 10 finishes.
Ms Alexander competed in 15 North Island events at two star level on 11 year-old gelding BMW Ripley while studying for a conjoint Bachelor of Business Studies and Bachelor of Science degree through Massey University's distance learning programme.
"Massey University is the number one choice for equestrian athletes such as myself," says Ms Alexander.
"It caters for extramural study which has allowed me to create my own daily schedule capable of fitting in training, work and university study."