Vote Chailey Stud’s head girl for Miss England

A young rider was “excited, flattered and a little bit embarrassed” to find out she has been entered for a Miss England competition.

Twenty-three-year-old Jemma Tester who works as a head girl at Chailey Stud, near Lewes in East Sussex, was entered by her friend and colleague Bryonny Knight.

Bryony sent “snapshot photographs” of Jemma to the competition organisers, who then got in touch and asked her to pose for a professional photographer, along with other competitors.

Her picture is now on the website and she needs votes before the April 21 to ensure she goes through to the semi-finals at Champneys Springs, at Ashby De La Zouch in Leicestershire on 8 June.

Jemma said: “To the best of my knowledge, I’m the only person from the horse-riding world who has entered the competition.

“I’d never really thought about entering anything like this before — people would say why don’t you think about modelling but I’d just laugh and horses have always been my passion anyway. I’ve tried other jobs before but always come back to horses.

“My friend Bryony entered me into the competition — people often say they will do things then don’t so I was surprised to find out she had and that I’d been selected.

“I was excited, flattered and little bit embarrassed, and quite shocked and surprised. But I’m really pleased as everyone has been really supportive and keeps saying ‘don’t forget us when you are rich and famous’.”

Jemma says she has no plans to turn her back on horses if she wins.

She said: “It depends what opportunities the competition brings my way — if a career in modelling comes up I would still always keep horses, even just as a hobby.”

To vote for Jemma, visit www.missengland.info/regionals/heat7, go to vote now, then Miss Fresh photographic heat 7; or send a text message to 84205 with her name Jemma Tester; or phone 0901 656 1500 and key in the number 11.

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