A mixed-race 13-year-old horse rider from living in Somerset is already aiming for the Olympics - and to be the 'Lewis Hamilton of Equestrianism', writes Ollie Buckley.

Rupert Hyde is heading for the top of his sport and to be as successful as the Formula One champion.

Born in London to black British dad James, 49 and white mum Katie, 50, Rupert isn't a natural fit in the often white elitist world of horse riding.

But he is determined to succeed and his horse-riding ability has already won him a scholarship to one of Britain's top public schools - Millfield School in Somerset.

He wants to represent his country at the Olympics and is already regularly winning show jumping competitions against men and women.

Rupert has won British show jumping competitions that have qualified him for Aintree, and is just now going into a competition that will take him to national championships at Hickstead.

Standing at around 5ft tall, the youngest of four boys is already hurdling jumps as high as his chin.

His mother Katie said: “The general ethos of Lewis Hamilton is ‘look if I can do it anyone can’ – the sheer determination to do it.

''Rupert is also just doing it. It doesn’t matter what anyone thinks. In the horse world money talks, it’s all about whose got the best saddle or the best horse.

“So not only do you have a lack of diversity and colour but also differences in money. In fact you can have all the money in the world and still be a rubbish rider.

“Rupert wants to stand up for the person and say you don’t have to spend 100,000 on a horse.

''He knows there aren’t many like him. People would look over because he is slightly different.

“It should become normal that there are minority people riding horse, you should be able to name several BAME horse riders.

“It’s just not been opened up to people with colour.”

Rupert's horse Guapa Alhaurino (affectionally known as 'May') is nine and has been with the Hydes since birth - moving with the family back to England after a few years living in Andalucía, Spain.

Rupert said: “I love how you to get to build a bond with the horse, to make a real friendship. The connection with May when I ride her is great.''

He says his hero is Lewis Hamilton.

“You look at where he’s come from, his background how he’s grown up and become one of the world’s best drivers.''

Equestrian is a sport that has struggled to open its doors to minority backgrounds - whether that be down to cost, lack of interest or simply a reluctance to diversify.

Rupert attends the prestigious Millfield School in Somerset, after winning a scholarship in both riding and rugby, which he plays for the school’s A team.

The school features world class riding facilities where Rupert trains daily.

Danny Anholt, Millfield’s director of equestrian sport, said: “Rupert is a particularly committed and diligent rider.

''He has great ambitions, and I really believe that this attitude and his natural ability and affinity with his horse will enable him to achieve the success that he aspires to.”

Asked where he hopefully sees himself in ten years’ time, Rupert’s answer was simple – “at the Olympics.”