BOLTON equestrian rider Heather Crowder is in the form of her life after enduring 18 months of hell.

Heather's horse Flicka suffered an injury in 1998 when a small piece of wood lodged in her leg. At first it seemed minor but the wound worsened and Flicka became lame.

Distraught Heather feared the worst but thanks to the skill of vetinerary surgeon Simon Constable, Flicka began to recover.

After months of recuperation the horse was finally fit enough to ride again in competition.

And Flicka, and Heather, have more than made up for lost time, winning competitions left, right and centre.

With the possibility of sponsorship from a major car manufacturer, things have never looked better.

"She's doing brilliantly at the moment but it was difficult 18 months," said Kirk Cornwall, Heather's fiance.

"The vet took me to one side and told me to expect the worst. The first time Heather went out on the field with Flicka after she had made a full recovery, Heather broke down in tears. She was extremely relieved."

Since they returned to equestrian competition Heather, from Tonge Moor, and Flicka have been in superb form.

This year alone they have amassed a total of 11 overall championships and two reserve championships in showjumping, working hunter and ridden showing. The best victory was Challenge 2000 at the inaugural All British Daewoo Riding Club Championships.

But it's not surprising that Heather is so accomplished.

She has been riding since she was a schoolgirl and goes out with Flicka on the countryside every single day, most times for four hours or more on countryside around Affetside, and that's on top of doing a full time job.

Because the financial rewards of showjumping in this country are limited, Heather works full time as a supervisor at Royal Curtains in Bolton.

But the sponsorship deal that is imminent could help her enter competitions throughout the country and not just in the North West, an area she tends to stick to at the moment.

"We haven't got the financial clout to be able to travel everywhere but hopefully the sponsorship will help us with that," added Mr Cornwall, who is Heather's biggest supporter, taking her to competitions and cleaning her gear.

"Showjumping is a serious hobby of hers and she is very good at it. There is a possibility that she may be able to enter the Horse of the Year show at Wembley if they allow amateurs to take part next year.

"Both she and the horse are still young and they have got their best competitive years ahead of them. With sponsorship there is no reason why they should not succeed at a higher level."