A DURSLEY riding enthusiast is celebrating the launch of her new website, which offers a unique, comprehensive directory for all horse events.

Jane Waters, 44, of Hunger Hill, who has four children, has devised the new web-based events service, Riding Diary, as she believes there was a gap in information about horse-related events.

"My daughter really enjoys going to shows," said Mrs Waters. "But we found it was difficult to track down events unless you visited individual saddlers and got the information from leaflets posted there. There was no central point containing all the information."

Visitors to www.ridingdiary.co.uk can view a comprehensive list covering riding events throughout Gloucestershire and surrounding counties.

The site has listed more than 200 events since live testing began in mid-June.

Added Mrs Waters: "The Riding Diary is the culmination of a great deal of research and represents the realisation of a dream for me. This is just the beginning of the project."

The diary is updated daily, with past events removed automatically each night. "We list any horse events that are open to the public and we are adding new events daily," explained Mrs Waters.

Since going live, the site has received on average 40 hits per day.

Daughter Hannah, 15, enjoys attending shows with her pony, Black Magic. She said the new site would really help her and other horse-owners find out where events are taking place.

"Magic and I really enjoy going to shows, but it was so difficult to get to know what was on each week," said Hannah. ""I just wish we'd had something as useful as this a year ago."

The Riding Diary is more than just a simple list. Organisers can send their event's schedules, which can be included. If shows have their own websites, Riding Diary will provide links.

Mrs Waters is keen to point out the site is free for both organisers and viewers.

"We want this to be a truly accessible service and we want to keep it free," she explained. "We do take advertising and sponsorship to help offset the costs and in due course we will be adding specialist sections which we will charge for."

For further information about listing an event contact Jane Waters on 01453 549048 or email press@ridingdiary.co.uk

Pictured: Straight from the horse's mouth . . . Daughter Hannah, Black Magic and Jane Waters, who has set up a website that informs horse enthusiasts about equine events taking place around the region GJA652V03