Hundreds of hopeful young riders compete

Introduced in 1964 by Canon Peter Booth, the The Hurstpierpoint College National Schools and Pony Club Championships is a highlight of the amateur equestrian calendar, attracting schools and pony clubs from across the British Isles.

Every year hundreds of youngsters flock to Hickstead hoping to qualify to jump on the hallowed ground of the world-famous International Arena. Staged annually as the finale to our horse show season, young equestrians are given the chance to jump in the very ring that they have watched their heroes battle it out in just days before.

New to the event this year was a team from Westergate Community School, Chichester, a school which is proving to be forward-thinking in the equestrian field.

The three girls in the school team are all doing Duke of Edinburgh Awards on horseback and have already completed bronze level, becoming the first group in the county to do this.

When approached by them about entering a team for the Hickstead schools' championship the headmaster Mr Steve Nelmes, said: "It was very clear from the outset that the pupils were very passionate about entering the event and representing the school. Westergate Community School embraces opportunities like this for it's pupils and I'm sure this will be a great experience for the girls."

The school provided special numnahs for the event and the team of Abbie Bizell (15) riding Bruno, Becky Lockwood (16) riding Blue, and Molly Chandler (13) riding Jimmy was sponsored by Southern Motor Contracts, a company owned by Andy Baumfield, the partner of Abbie's mother, Carla.

For full feature see Sussex Horse World, West Sussex Gazette August 18