Pocklington School’s equestrian team has qualified for the Royal Windsor Horse Show next May, a huge achievement in the face of tough competition from schools across the north. This prestigious event is held annually in Windsor Home Park,  situated to the eastern side of Windsor Castle.

The qualifying event at Epworth, Lincolnshire, attracted a large competitive field, as it was one of the few which were accessible for northern-based schools.

The 90cm team of Georgina Elliott, Hattie Thompson, Bea Nicholson and Amelia Jackson really felt the pressure as they entered the ring, especially as Amelia and Bea are in relatively new partnerships with their horses.

They all rode magnificently to secure a final team score of zero faults with only the time being the barrier between qualification or not! Pocklington were in the lead right up to the last few schools; there really could not have been a more nail-biting finish to the end of the class.

Lady Manners School and Scarborough College were last to go and everyone knew that they were capable of ending the Pocklington dream. Both schools went clear so in the end, it all came down to time.

Lady Manners had been quick and they achieved a much-deserved first place but who would be second?

Pocklington pipped their rivals to clinch second place by 0.19 seconds, a tiny margin over three rounds. The team were ecstatic about their achievement and with the dream now a reality, excitement about competing in the Royal Windsor Horse Show has already begun to build!

Miss Bracken, Deputy Head, Pocklington School and teacher i/c equestrian said: “This is a huge accomplishment for the girls and we are all very proud of their achievement. We wish them all the very best as they begin to prepare both horse and rider for such a grand stage.”