By Gary Cooper

AN ANGUS teenager who overcame a horrific injury as a toddler to lead a normal life is celebrating a call-up to represent her country in front of the Queen.

Lauren McLean (13), of Kingoldrum, near Kirriemuir, will compete in the mounted games at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in May.

It is a remarkable achievement for a girl who had her left foot amputated after an accident with a ride-on mower in the garden of her home 11 years ago.

Despite the best efforts of surgeons to re-attach her foot, severed after she ran into the mower, it could not be saved.

Her parents’ fears over the impact the incident would have on the youngster eased as she quickly adjusted to life with an artificial foot.

Now the horse-daft youngster has proved her disability will not hold her back from reaching the top in her sport.

The Webster’s High School pupil came through a stiff selection test at Bishopbriggs to land the honour of flying the Scottish flag at Windsor Castle.

She hopes to go one better than her elder sister Catriona (16), who was part of the Scottish team which came second three years ago.

Among those at Bishopbriggs watching Lauren was father, Ewan, overjoyed at her success.

“We are hugely proud of Lauren. She has done incredibly well,” he said. “It kind of sums up her whole character and determination to do things.

“Although she has a prosthesis, she’s the kind of girl who doesn’t say ‘I can’t do that.’ Instead her approach is ‘how can I do it.’

“We’re all so happy for her, but Lauren is very laid back and calm about the whole affair.”

Horse riding is in the blood of Lauren and her family—her mother, Jane, is keen on horses, as are her other sisters Marnie (15) and Morven (9).

Lauren, who competes with the Angus Mounted Games team, part of Angus Pony Club, has been riding for almost as long as she has been living.

For the last few years she has spent much time training her trusty mount Rosco, a 13.2 hands-high Arab cross which had never taken part in mounted games previously.

Mr McLean said, “Lauren has done a lot of work and spent many hours out on the windswept fields with Rosco, who had been a show pony.

“There is a fantastic relationship between them and when you see them competing, it’s difficult to see where Lauren ends and the horse begins.

“They truly become one.

“When she’s on Rosco, she’s very agile and very, very competitive.”

Lauren will join other members of the five-strong Scottish team for a training weekend at Easter.

Their dream is to be presented with their medals by the Duke of Edinburgh.