A YEAR after rekindling her love for highland dancing, Anita Washbourne is winning trophies and soon, she'll be passing on her passion for jigs, flings and reels to the next generation.

Now in her early 30s, Ms Washbourne started dancing at age four, progressing to the highest grade of premier dancer by age 12.

Then at 16, she quit dancing.

"I think I'd just had enough, after doing it for so long," she said.

"I still loved it, but I was a teenager and my priorities had changed."

Then last year, after a break of almost 15 years, she got back into it.

"I'd been saying I was going to start up again for about five years, but finally got there last year," she said.

"I realised how much I missed it and have loved every second since going back.

"I train Tuesday and Wednesday nights, and I look forward to those days so much just because of that."

Within six weeks of starting to dance again, Ms Washbourne was back in competition.

At the weekend, she took out first place in the 16 years and over category at the Moreton Bay Pre Championship.

Ms Washbourne competed in four dances; the fling, the sword, the seann triubhas, and the strathspey and half reel of Tulloch.

The dancers in each event dance together and are judged and scored individually.

Her end result was one first, two seconds and a third giving her the best overall score for the competition.

"I was so shocked to win, ecstatic actually," she said.

"It was a long day with lots of dancing, but also a great deal of fun.

"I love it so much."

Ms Washbourne trains with a group at Inverness Highland Dancing Studio in Glennie Heights twice a week and trains privately with teacher Marlene McBean on Wednesdays.

"I have three more exams to sit before I can sit my teacher's exam," Ms Washbourne said,

"That will be another great step to take."

Inverness Highland Dancing Studio currently sees around 30 dancers going through their paces each week, ranging in age from six to 60. Anyone interested in the traditional and physical form of dance can call teacher Marlene McBean on 0419653017.