County champions! College riders shine at West Sussex equestrian event

There were five classes from 70cm to 1.10m and the winning team in each class is crowned West Sussex champions and qualify to compete at the NSEA national county championships where they meet the winning teams from all the counties in the United Kingdom.

This is in April at the prestigious Hartbury College & University, Gloucestershire.

Lucy Sanders, equestrian team manager from the college near Petworth, said: “All the West Sussex school equestrian teams were out in force to try to win the top spot and competition was very hot with difficult technical courses to catch out both pony and rider.

“In order to win competitors have to ride a clear round and then go straight in to a jump off against the clock and the winner is the team with the least faults in the fastest time.

“The pressure is on and only the only the most skilful riders with great understanding between pony and rider can manage to make the tightest turns and jump at angles to achieve fast double clear rounds.

“Not only did our teams do so amazingly well but we had a great day with lots of fun and laughter with all the riders supporting each other and many other schools commenting on our great team spirit.

“Huge congratulations go to our fantastic riders, wonderful ponies and very supportive parents. I am so proud of all our riders and am looking forward to taking them up to the county nationals in the Easter holidays.”

Results

Winners & West Sussex County Champions at 70cm - Seaford A Team of Oliver Allison, Oliver Chadwell, Bella Crowley & Daisy Dace; 2nd Highfield, 3rd Burgess Hill, 4th Penthorpe, 5th Great Walstead & 6th Dorset House. Daisy was placed 3rd, Bella 7th & Oliver A 8th individually.

Winners & West Sussex County Champions at 80cm - Seaford A team of Bella Crowley, Emma Perrett, Oliver Allison & Oliver Chadwell pictured with Daisy Dace who also rode a great clear round and is first reserve for the team. 2nd Dorset House, 3rd Millais, 4th Great Walstead, 5th Seaford B Team (Emma Perrett, Emily Cook, Arthur Andrews & Abigail Jupp) and 6th Burgess Hill. Oliver A came a brilliant 2nd individually and qualifies as an individual as the winner was not from a West Sussex school.

Winners & West Sussex County Champions at 90cm - Seaford A Team of Kristian Fairston, Lulu James, Sophie Jones & Emma Perret (not pictured); 2nd Warden Park, 3rd Hurst, 4th The Wield, 5th Millais, 6th Dorset House, 7th Churchers’ & 8th Seaford B team of Abigail Jupp, who rode a super clear round on her new pony, Emma Perrett, Arthur Andrews & Emily Cook.

Seaford Team of Beanie Bradley, Sophie Jones & Lulu James 3rd in the 1.00m class; 1st The Wield, 2nd Churchers, 3rd Seaford, 4th Hurst, 5th Warden Park, 6th Millais. Lulu also came 7th individually.

Seaford individual Beanie Bradley 2nd in the 1.10m class at her first attempt at this highest level.