The owner of a riding shop plans to carry on at a canter after marking her business’ 25th anniversary.

Janette Moss, who runs Janette Moss Horse Wear in Waltham Abbey with her husband Peter, started with a small shop in Arlington Mews, opposite the police station.

The business soon expanded to several other units in the Mews and now fills a 5,000 square foot shop in Brooker Road.

Mrs Moss said: “We’ve expanded because a lot of other people have closed.

“We’re one of the only shops like this in the area and we get people from all over Essex, Hertfordshire and London.

“There are quite a few riding schools around here, so quite a lot of our trade is through hat and body protector fitting.”

She taught the correct fitting of riding helmets at Warwickshire College for several years and has been involved with horses for more than 50 years.

“I used to be a special needs teacher and I had a horse,” she said. “I just thought maybe there was something else I could do.”

Mr Moss, who owned a garage until he had to sell it to make way for the A406, oversees the management of the business and the couple employ eight staff.

Regular visitors to the shop also include the couple’s dogs Taz and Kip, who were adopted from Hillside Kennels.