TRACEY Newman is the fourth best female showjumper in Britain - and she's aiming for the number one spot.

But the talented 33-year-old needs your help to get there.

Such is the limited prize money on offer in showjumping, Tracey struggles to keep her head above water financially because of the expense of looking after her horse, as well as paying competition entry fees, travelling expenses and other overheads.

She is on the lookout for a sponsor and hopes Bolton's businesses will get in touch.

"It's a very costly sport to be in and unfortunately people get the impression that showjumpers are all rich toffs but that's not the case," admitted down-to-earth Tracey.

"I need sponsorship to take some of the pressure off. I can wear logos or we can put a company's name on the horse box, which is seen by hundreds of people when we travel to shows. At the moment I have to win to survive."

Famous

Fortunately Tracey is pretty good at winning, racking up several number one placings.

This season she hopes to become number one in the country, though the early season has been hit by the foot and mouth outbreak.

Tracey, of Bradley Fold Lane, has been riding horses since she was seven.

"I was playing out in the street and a girl on a horse went past," she explained. "I asked my mum if I could have a go and the first time I did it I loved it. I went to riding school, then got my own pony and started entering gymkhanas.

"I've been doing it ever since."

By the time she was 17 Tracey had competed at Wembley and Hickstead.

But Tracey's career hasn't always been that of a top showjumper. She has spent most of her time helping someone else reach the top.

She was head groom to John Whittaker - the most famous man in showjumping - for a decade.

Tracey played a big part in his success, doing all the behind the scenes work from mucking out to grooming.

"It was a great time. I travelled all over the world with him and he taught me a lot," said Tracey.

Rankings

"In the end when I decided to leave to go it alone and have a go myself he was very supportive and sent me a few horses so I owe him a lot. It's nice to compete against him now rather than work for him."

Since going solo Tracey has enjoyed considerable success and risen rapidly up the rankings.

She competes in The Horse of the Year Show at Wembley every year which is a televised event, won the Ken Beeston Novice Final and triumphed in four major classes at Spruce Meadows, Canada, to name just a few.

Tracey is now gunning for the 2004 Olympics which, if she qualified, would be the biggest achievement of her career.

If she has sponsorship it would make the task a whole lot easier. Anyone who can help should contact 07802 989 142.