17 riders represent college over two days of competition
The Hurst Equestrian team had two successful days of competition at Felbridge last weekend. Despite the cold and wet weather, 17 riders represented the college over the two days.
Kicking the weekend off with an early start on Saturday were Harry S and Reece, who both jumped super rounds in the 70cm but did not make the placings. The 80cm arena eventing team of Bridey, Mette, Imy and Gracie also jumped some good rounds, but again did not quite make the placings.
In the final class of the day which was part one of the 90cm Inter-Schools Windsor Horse Show qualifier, Jess, Mette, Harry W and Katie were victorious in a hotly contested class. This put Hurst into poll position going into the second half of the qualifier on day two, with the top two teams from the two days qualifying for the finals in May.
With better conditions on Sunday, our second team lined up for part two of the Windsor qualifier. Minnie, Harry W, Ryan and Antonia jumped three fast clear rounds to win the second day of the qualifier to secure Hurst a place in the finals of the Royal Windsor Horse Show – a fantastic achievement! Not forgetting Ryan and Harry W finishing fourth and sixth respectively in the individual competition.
Our 90cm Eventer’s Challenge team were up next and looking to qualify for the finals, also in May, at Hickstead. Harry W, Maddie, Ryan and Matilda did Hurst proud again to secure the win and with it, a qualification spot. Maddie galloped her way around the course to finish second in the individual competition and also secured qualification for the finals.
In the 1m showjumping event, the team of Mette, Scarlett and Minnie, each jumped perfect clear rounds to finish in second place, closely followed by our other team of Jack, Tilda, Antonia and Ellie in fourth place. In the 1m Eventer’s Challenge Jack, Ellie, Harry and Jess took third place and just missed out on qualification for the finals. Scarlett and Jess jumped in the final class of the day, the 1.10m. Jess had a couple of poles down, but her round improved as it went on. Scarlett showed her great potential by jumping a lovely clear to finish in third.
“Huge congratulations to all riders, this was an excellent weekend of results and has set us up very nicely for 2020!” Georgina Black, Mistress-in-charge of Equestrian.