A BARROW teenager who nursed her beloved horse back to health after a severe illness is celebrating getting back to winning ways.

Maria Guselli and her horse Bailey have been through it all when in 2017, Bailey was diagnosed with a life threatening disease.

His championship days were nearly all over when he was diagnosed with colic disease at Liverpool Horse Hospital back in 2017.

However, Maria was determined to see Bailey back to full health and did everything within her power to see him there.

During his illness Maria was always at his side, one evening before Bailey was due to have an endoscopy the next day she even spent a night in the barn and nearby car to keep an eye on him.

When asked what Bailey means to her, Maria said: “He is my best friend and I couldn’t imagine being without him.

“Even when I went away I still asked my friend to do video calls with her and Bailey so I knew how he was doing.

“Him getting so unwell has also brought us closer. For example, I now notice even when there is the slightest thing wrong with him.

“I can literally take one look at him and know instantly if there is anything wrong.”

However, the days of illnesses are well behind them as together they have managed to go from success to success.

In their first year of competition they won 13 cups at the Pony Club in 2017 in year of such trials and tribulations.

Then this year, they also won the over 18s champion of champions at the Ulverston and District Equine Club.

Her father, Ray Guselli, a former Barrow councillor, said: “She is out there every morning taking care of him, often at six am - she just has so much devotion to his wellbeing.

“Their bond is incredible, you can just tell they both know how the other works.

“She has done an astounding job to bring what was to begin a very wild and unruly horse, but with all her hard work she has really turned him around.

“A lot of the training she has also done herself since she was 13 and has shown so much maturity to help bring him back to full health and winning ways.

“It is also important to thank all the people from Seaview Riding School, The Pony Club and the Ulverston and District Equine Club who have given them both continued support.”

Maria’s aims for the future are primarily to keep Bailey well, but also to continue to grow and improve in more advanced competitions.