Derbyshire rider swaps stables for pageant catwalk in bid to be crowned Miss England
"No one else wears a full face of makeup in the ring apart from me- I will always try to look glamorous whatever I do."
An award-winning Derbyshire equestrian has swapped mucking out stables for the beauty pageant catwalk after becoming a Miss England finalist.
Two-time Horse of the Year Show finalist Sophie Mitchell, 25, is bidding to be crowned the next Miss England to win a place in the next Miss World.
She will swap her riding helmet, boots and jodhpurs for a glitzy ball gown and heels when she competes in the final representing Derbyshire on November 17.
Sophie said she entered Miss England to show that equestrian riders can be glamorous too after receiving abuse from online trolls over the way she looks.
Sophie, of Horsley Woodhouse, said: "I entered Miss England because I receive a lot of backlash and hate online for how I look.
"Lots of people believe that in order to do something, you should look a certain way.
"I love farming, I love horse riding and I also love being glamorous.
"Spreading the message of, you can look however you want to, is very important to the younger generation.
"I already promote this through my TikTok channel which has been built through being authentic online, but entering Miss England has given me another avenue to do this."
Sophie and her horse Mel - named after Spice Girl Mel B - finished sixth at the 2026 Horse of the Year Show following eighth place in 2025.
She also achieved fourth place at the prestigious Hickstead Royal International Horse Show in 2025.
Sophie says although competing at prestigious horse shows may seem a far cry from competing in beauty pageants, the two things have some things in common.
She added: "It is about so much more than the best turned out horse. Pageantry is similar as it is about the person, and being a well-rounded individual as well as looking good.
"Showing is what I am entirely most passionate about, I have dedicated my life up until now to showing horses and will continue to do so.
"No one else wears a full face of makeup in the ring apart from me- I will always try to look glamorous whatever I do."
Dolly Parton fan Sophie won the semi-final people's choice award with her performance of her idol's song 'Coat of Many Colors'.
She received 196,000 public votes which fast-tracked her to the grand final, which will be held at Athena events venue in Leicester.
Sophie, who also runs a doggy day care business, added: " "I'm incredibly honoured and grateful to have won the Miss England semi-final People's Choice public vote.
"The support I've received has been truly overwhelming. It means so much to know that so many people have got behind me."
The winner of Miss England will represent the country at the next Miss World 2027 in Tanzania.