Leweston School’s Equestrian Team were victorious at the ‘All England Jumping Course’, Hickstead, for the NSEA Eventers Challenge, National County Dressage and Show jumping Championships
With eight team events and nine riders competing for individual honours, Leweston School had a very busy three days at the All England Jumping Course, Hickstead, for the NSEA Eventers Challenge (arena eventing) and National County Dressage and Show jumping Championships during half-term.
The three days of competition started well with their Dressage team coming a very close second in the National County Dressage Championships with May S, Year 9, riding a beautiful test to earn 75% in her arena. Very well done to May S, Molly C, Year 10, Madeline R-S, Year 11 and Maisy M, Year 10.
With a second at the Royal Windsor Horse Show and a second in the dressagem Leweston were not surprised to just get pipped to second again this time in the Novice (80-85cm) Eventers Challenge Championships! However, with 44 teams and 222 competitors riding in this event it was a great achievement for the team of Poppy Y, Year 9, Jessica W, Year 9, Tara W, Year 9, and Hen J, Year 8.
Tara W riding Peasedown Toners Neo had a long overnight wait to see where she would eventually be placed individually and the school was delighted to see a Leweston rider on the podium in the silver position at prizegiving.
Their younger squad riders Eva R, Year 7, Ruby P, Year 7, Rosie M, Year 9 and Josie M, Year 7, did exceptionally well and brought a team fourth place back to Dorset in the Mini (70-75cm) National County Show Jumping.
Leweston had one team and two individual riders competing in the mini (70-75cm) Eventers Challenge, the team of Ruby P, Josie M, Hen J and Jessica W came a creditable fifth against thirty-two teams. Tara and Rosie rode lovely Individual rounds but just went a little too quick to get an individual placing.
The Intermediate (90-95cm) Eventers Challenge proved to be a difficult and technical course which saw many riders eliminated, however, Leweston were very pleased to get both teams ‘home’ in twelfth and fourteenth position. Congratulations to the four riders who rode great clear rounds over this challenging course, Maisy M, May S, Madeline RS and Charlie W, Year 11.
The Open (1m-1.05m) Eventers Challenge was another formidable championship course and tested every rider, the team were just out of the placings in tenth place, Flora SB, Molly C, Charlie W and Madeline RS. However, Madeline RS rode one of the best rounds of the whole Championships on her second horse Mickey to take a well earned second Individual placing.
Crowning glory came on Day Three in the Intermediate (90-95cm) National County SJ Championships when the team held onto their top spot after the first round and rode thrilling jump-off rounds to win the National County SJ title. Many congratulations to Molly C, May S, Jessica W and Poppy Y.
These National Championships are the always competitive and only qualified teams and Individuals can compete. Leweston are thrilled to have won a Team National Title for the third year running and to take so many top eight placings, it really was their very best results at Hickstead.
Categories: Leweston School School News
