Tillicoultry’s Joey Eccles has captured European Vaulting Championships gold in Sweden – Great Britain’s first ever medal at the tournament.

The 20-year-old Scot, riding WH Bentley warmed up for the British trials for the World Equestrian Games in perfect style as she was crowned senior female vaulting Champion of Europe.

"I am delighted to have won Team GBR’s first vaulting medal and ecstatic that it was gold," said Eccles.

And the Eccles family had further reason to celebrate when younger sister Hannah finished a creditable seventh in the junior championships, while Fife’s Louise Sinclair was 13th.

“Joanne performed fantastically, I don’t know anyone who has worked so hard and can remain so controlled and focused throughout,” said British Equestrian Vaulting chef d’equipe Lucy Bell.

“Her performances were rewarded with not only our first ever vaulting medal, but to make it a gold one really made it a fabulous week!

“The results across the board are absolutely fantastic, Team GBR has improved in all classes this year, everyone has worked extremely hard and the results show this.”