Ellen signed dozens of autographs for fans who turned up to see her jump at the Charles Stanley British Masters Show Jumping Event at Chester last weekend.

The event, one of only seven international show jumping championships to be held in the UK this year, attracted huge crowds to Chester Racecourse, where several of the Whitaker dynasty - including Ellen, her dad Stephen and her brothers Joe, Thomas and Donald - were all jumping. Other Whitakers included Ellen's uncles John and Michael and her cousins Robert and William.

Ellen had agreed to be "the face" of the championships and as such, she met 200 school children who were attending the event on its opening day on Friday. The children were treated to a live interview with Ellen, before she led them on a tour of the stables and signed dozens and dozens of autographs.

Ellen said: "It's fantastic to see an event like this at Chester and I am thrilled it has become an international championship this year. I loved seeing the children so excited to be here and I hope I have inspired them to stay interested in show jumping."