Jennie Abel, from Park Crescent, Lee Mount, Halifax, was commended by Princess Anne, the St John Ambulance patron, at Buckingham Palace.

The 12-year-old, a cadet for the first-aid group, said meeting the Princess Royal was exciting. "My friends were impressed," she said. "I'll definitely carry on being a St John Ambulance cadet."

Jennie helped senior colleagues and nurses treat Kay Sutcliffe, who was kicked in the head by her horse as she walked it in front of a judge during a show at Hall Lane, Northowram, Halifax. Only 11 at the time, she kept calm and passed equipment to the nurses until paramedics arrived. Sadly, Mrs Sutcliffe did not survive the accident.

Leader of the Halifax and Brighouse cadets Dale Ingle said: "Jennie had only been a cadet with our division for around four months and had recently qualified to go on duty with adult members.

"With her love of horses she jumped at the chance to go along to what would normally be a quiet duty. Unfortunately, an accident occurred and Jenny stretched her first-aid knowledge by assisting adult St John members and nurses at the scene until ambulance crews arrived.

"Jennie went above and beyond all expectation of a St John cadet and deserves all the recognition given for her actions."

Her mum Janet said: "We're very proud of her. She didn't cry or start to fret. She did everything she needed to do and stood and passed things to people.

"We're proud of the fact that she didn't make a fuss, she did everything they asked her to do."

Jennie, a Holy Trinity Senior School pupil, has been in the cadets for two years with her sister Katherine.

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