Clear rounds and outstanding performances in her debut events made 17-year-old showjumper Amelia K, a pupil at Felsted School, one to watch in the Sunshine Tour international equestrian competition, recently held in Andalucia, Spain.
Amelia, a Year 12 student at the independent co-educational boarding and day school in north Essex who has been riding from a young age, took part in the four-week Spanish equestrian tour and competed in a variety of events against many more experienced riders from across Europe.
In an excellent start to the competition in the first week, Amelia placed third in the 1.20m class, the only GB rider to appear in the top eight.
‘It was a proud moment for me to see my name on the big screen next to the GB flag,’ said Amelia. ‘But I knew there was a lot more to do.’
Throughout the second week, Amelia worked hard and improved with every round. Despite being the youngest competitor in the group and up against seasoned riders, her effort was rewarded with a win in the 1.20m Open class and she continued to shine as the competition progressed and became ever more competitive.
In the final week, Amelia stepped up to the prestigious 4* 1.35m Grand Prix, the highest class she had ever competed in, both in terms of height and level. In an outstanding performance, she rode a clear first round and qualified for a jump-off, with fences raised to a maximum of 1.45m, and delivered another clear round.
Only the extremely fast times of her competitors prevented her from taking a place on the podium, but her placement in such a high-level competition was a remarkable achievement for a young rider competing at the level for the very first time.
‘It was a great experience for me to see how I was able to handle the pressure of international competition,’ said Amelia. ‘I’m proud of the performances I delivered and am very much looking forward to competing at an even higher level in future.’
‘This is incredible news,’ commented Felsted Head Chris Townsend. ‘Amelia’s achievements in the Sunshine Tour highlight her exceptional commitment and hard work. It’s wonderful to see her pushing her boundaries and excelling on such a prestigious international stage. She should be immensely proud of what she has accomplished.’
Felsted has many accomplished equestrians among its pupils, who are able to ride during weekly timetabled school activity sessions at a stables not far from the school. Horse Riding is just one of the many activities on offer to Felsted students, who choose from a long list of adventurous, challenging and service opportunities designed to help them discover their strengths and talents and encourage them to make a valuable contribution to the community.
‘You won’t find many schools with a longer list of extracurricular options,’ commented The Good Schools Guide. ‘There’s a great mix of opportunities in things such as music and sport – children have time to develop interests that they can take on with them later’.
Felsted School won Boarding School of the Year 2023 at the TES Schools Awards and in December 2024 was appointed by IB-Schools.com as ‘A Top 30 UK IB School for 2024’ for excellence in academic achievement. In 2024 Felsted was also awarded a prestigious Eco-Schools’ Green Flag for their exceptional work in promoting sustainability and raising environmental awareness, Felsted was also awarded the esteemed ‘Sleep Champion’ status by the Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA), and most recently, an Independent Schools of the Year Award for ‘The Development Award for an Outstanding Fundraising Achievement 2024’ by Independent School Parent magazine.
Categories: Felsted School School News
