A teenager competing in one of the UKs most prestigious horse shows says she was humiliated when an official told her she was 'too heavy' for her pony.

Georgia Aungier, 19, who weighs just six stone, was exercising Uphill Toy Soldier at the Horse of the Year show when a steward ordered her to get off it.

The incident, in front of a packed arena, left the former champion in tears and not wanting to compete at the event in Birmingham's NEC.

Georgia Aungier, 19, who weighs just six stone, was exercising Uphill Toy Soldier at the Horse of the Year show when a steward ordered her to get off it

Competition rules state that a steward is entitled to take a rider off if they feel that the animal's welfare is compromised.

But although Miss Aungier is 5ft 7in, she weighs only six stone which is well within the acceptable boundaries for the breed, traditionally used by miners to carry heavy loads up hills.

The former champion had been warming up her pony, whose stable name is Colin, ready for her sister Gracie, seven, to show the following day.

'I was trotting around when I steward came over and said 'you're far too big for that pony,' she said.

'I was really shocked. He said I could do one more circuit but Colin was a bit lively so I had to ride a circle before heading for the exit.

'Then he shouted over the tannoy 'I have already told you to get off, you are too heavy.' It was in front of everyone in the arena, I was really upset and annoyed.'

Miss Aungier, who works full time at her parents' stable in Godstone, Surrey, has been competing in shows since she was four.

The incident, in front of a packed arena, left the former champion in tears and not wanting to compete at the event in Birmingham's NEC

She has previously won titles at HOYS and the Royal International and exercised the same pony without issue for the previous two years.

According to the family who run a stables with 27 horses and ponies, Colin is 12 hands high, around 4ft (122cm) and is capable of carrying around 10 stone.

Her mother, Alex, 41, said her daughter felt 'body shamed' and it had really knocked her confidence.

'She came over and was in floods of tears and said she wanted to go home,' she said.

'There were adults on ponies where you couldn't see the saddle so for them to single out Georgia in front of everybody isn't acceptable.

'At the competition, they have kids who weigh more than Georgia competing on Shetland ponies so there's just no consistency.

Competition rules state that a steward is entitled to take a rider off if they feel that the animal's welfare is compromised. Pictured: Gracie Aungier

'We're not the first people this has happened to and won't be the last. But if they are going to introduce rules like this, then they have to be measurable. They need to stand outside with a set of scales.

'If you ask any vet, then they'll say the general rule is that a pony can carry up to 20 per cent of its own body weight. She certainly isn't that'.

The mother-of-five, who regularly takes Colin out herself, tried unsuccessfully to find the steward.

She has since made an official complaint to organisers but is yet to hear back.

A spokesman for HOYS said 'equine welfare of of paramount importance' at last weekend's events.

Georgia Aungier, 19, was left in floods of tears at the Horse of the Year show when a steward ordered her to get off her pony

She denied it was an issue with Muss Aungier's weight bu that a vet and the chief steward both felt that she was not suited to the pony.

'Both of these professionals were in agreement regarding the decision made of the lack of suitability of the rider with this particular pony,' she said.

'This topic has been under regular scrutiny in the showing industry over the last few years due to equine welfare concerns and therefore we have worked with showing societies to make appropriate steps, along with other major county shows, to put this policy in place.

'I would like to highlight that this is not an issue about the weight of a rider. Riders could be asked to dismount or stop exercising if it was felt that they are not the appropriate height for the animal.

It is, however, about equine welfare and therefore our priority is whether the horse/pony is suitably mounted.'