YOUNG equestrian star Ryan Smith lifted silver and bronze medals on his debut for the Great Britain team.

The Holcombe Pony Club member earned a place on the podium after being selected to represent Great Britain at the Olympic Hopes International Modern Pentathlon at Debrecen, Hungary.

Ryan said: "Representing Great Britain was an amazing experience and a great honour. I never expected to come home with a medal but to win a bronze and silver medal on my debut for Team GB was a fantastic feeling and one I will remember for many years to come’’

The Olympic Hopes competition is an opportunity for potential Olympic athletes to have the experience of competing on a world-class stage against many other European nations.

Ryan was representing GB in the Youth B category for 15 to 16-year-old boys.

He won a bronze in the triathlon which includes swimming and the combined shoot and run

After a 14th place in the swim, Ryan went on the excel in the combined event with a stunning second place time.

That moved him up to seventh place individually in the competition and the highest placed Youth B Great Britain boy.

Ryan and Pioneer 79 Swimming Club colleague Luke Tasker represented Great¿Britain at the event.

Tasker competed in the Tetrathlon class and, although he narrowly missed out on a medal, he gained some experience that will serve him well in years to come.