A CARRIAGE-DRIVING world competitor has been left “devastated” after her two horse-drawn carriages were stolen from a Pontllanfraith property.

Ashleigh Jones, 21, of Pontllanfraith, who came second in the World Driving Championships in Hungary in August 2010,was gutted to discover her only two competition carriages had been stolen from Penner Crossing.

“I went down to feed the horses on Saturday afternoon and when I got there I discovered that my two competition carriages were missing,” she said.

“I believe they must have been stolen around midday that day.

“They are the only two carriages I have for competition as the rest are used for weddings.

She estimated they were each worth around £2,000.

“I normally compete in throughout the summer but I won’t be able to now.”

Ms Jones, who is taking time off work after having a baby, has been driving since she was 10 and has ridden for Wales for the last couple of years. One of the carriages stolen was specifically for a pony, the other is for her horse.

The pony carriage was specifically made for Ms Jones by her uncle.

One was a maroon carriage with four doors and the other was black with four doors.

Gwent Police are appealing for information. Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting log 481/12/7/14.