Pocklington School’s equestrian team experienced the highs and lows of national competition in the finals of the National Schools Equestrian Association’s County Showjumping Championships, held at Bury Farm, Buckinghamshire
The competition got off to an excellent start when Harriet Hodge completed a lovely clear round on the Friday evening in the 70 cm ‘warm up’ class. All boded well for Saturday and the start of the main competition.
High hopes rested on riders Harriet, the East Yorkshire Individual 70cm Champion, Emma Forsyth in the 90 cm class and Hattie Thompson in the 1m class.
In the 70 cm competition, Harriet was one of the last riders into the arena. Percy, her pony, looked very willing and raring to go, but proved quite strong and difficult to check in the ring. Although the duo did well overall, learning much from their first major championships together, they were disappointed not to be placed.
The 90 cm team of Hattie, Emma, Bea Nicholson and Georgina Elliott were next to compete on Saturday evening. They wisely used the warm up class to try out their turns and to get a feeling for the indoor arena; thus several poles flew and riders on occasion were lucky to keep their seat. With the previous night’s experience behind them and lessons learnt the team started well on Sunday morning. They secured 3 fantastic clear rounds outdoors, entering the indoor phase in a very competitive position. There was all to ride for!
It soon became evident that the indoor course was challenging. The distances between fences were awkward and although there were turns to do, the emphasis had to be on going clear.
First in the ring was Bea, on Blue; they rode a confident round and were unlucky to have several fences down. Everything now rested on the remaining three members of the team. Emma rode next – what a round it was too! After knocking the first fence down she quickly picked herself up and ensured that Stan cleared the remaining jumps. Her score and time secured her 11th place individually; narrowly missing out on a ribbon.
A total of 4 faults at this stage was still good; a clear or even a further 4 faults would, at this point, put us in pole position. George went next and it was very tense. Clear up to the final fence, the fence she had down the previous night – surely it couldn’t happen again? Riding a nice line to the jump, we watched with bated breath - it wasn’t to be, Eric dropped his back legs and down went the pole.
Last into the ring was Hattie on Queenie; a clear was now very much needed. Disaster struck, a fence down at the fourth and the pair lost momentum; the usual ‘dead cert clear’ was not to be! A team total of 20 faults placed the team 11th out of 21 counties; commendable but just out of the rosettes.
Both horses and riders were beginning to look tired as the afternoon continued. We still had the 1m class to go but were already one rider short as Mimi Jackson’s horse Daisy had gone lame the night before the competition.
The courses at championships are always a step up from the qualifiers and the 1m track was no exception to the rule. The fences appeared large from the ground and on horseback too! Georgina and Eric were first in for Pocklington. A gutsy round and 8 faults was an excellent result. Hattie followed but neither horse nor rider seemed at ease; disqualification followed. At this point we took the decision to retire, everyone was weary and it only seemed fair on the horses; they were obviously quite fatigued after their long journeys and the heat, throughout the weekend, had also taken its toll. Home beckoned!
As ever, an enjoyable weekend; some highs and lows, fantastic team spirit and the knowledge that we will be back next year but even stronger!