from Northern News (dated 28 July 2010)

Who would believe that a boy from a small Northland town would work his way up to be at the very top of his sport?

Ohaeawai teenager David "Dee" Cherrington, riding a little grey mare called Razz, has won the world individual championship mounted games title in Chepstow, Wales.

The individual championship was the only world title which up to last week had eluded him.

Dee holds the current world pairs title with partner Rob Leese of the UK. He was also a member of the 2008 New Zealand team which competed and won the world teams championship in Australia while coached by mum Brenda Cross.

Dee has always represented New Zealand and will be joining the national team, riding alongside brother Gaarryn Smith, in Lexington, Kentucky in late September at the world equestrian games.

He's been competing in mounted games for seven years with his first international event in Kentucky in 2003, riding in the New Zealand team alongside Northland rider and national champion Nancy Te Whata – then both 15.

He then travelled to Britain to compete for six months of every year until he turned 18 when he secured an apprenticeship as a farrier. Dee now lives in the UK while completing his five-year apprenticeship .

Dee has created mounted games history as the only New Zealander to ever hold both the world pairs (twice), and the world individual titles. The New Zealand mounted games team is fundraising to go to the world equestrian games in the United States.

Anyone who wants to make a donation and or become a sponsor can contact team coach Brenda Cross on 021-027-62-584 or (09) 405-8613 after 7pm for more information.