During Half Term, 11 riders from nearly every Bloxham year group competed in teams in the 80, 90 & 100cm classes in the Schools & Riding Clubs 2DE.
The event was held at Princethorpe College and organised jointly by Princethorpe and Stoneleigh Riding Club. Bloxham was the only school with teams in all classes, which was brilliant to see. The teams were prepared by Fran Bird and had to master new skills such as riding to a stopwatch, jumping steeplechase fences at speed and pacing their horses over roads and tracks, followed by a vet inspection.
Saturday was dressage and show jumping which went well and spirits were high as the cavalry moved off to familiarise themselves with the route and terrain before Sunday’s marathon. As in previous years, the course was challenging with technical fences and undulating terrain facing competitors.
Fine weather greeted riders on the second day and as the temperature rose the young 80 team of Stella W, Millie R and Izzie F-S were joined by Emily S from Sibford as they set off at intervals for their first taste of Phases A to D. Watching them fly round the steeplechase fences (two circuits of four fences in two minutes) was exciting, especially Izzie who thought she was at Cheltenham! We had three superb completions without penalty, which saw the team placed 5th in a very strong class, which gives great hope for future years.
The 90 team of Imogen H, Nay R, Amy S & Hannah B were next away and again took everything in their stride with the exception of Hannah who was unfortunate to slip and fall on a very tight turn and had to retire. Thankfully both she and her pony were unhurt.’ The remaining team members again completed without further drama and, with three scores required for the team, took 3rd place.
The more experienced 100 team of Jack S, Grace H, George H & Tom B showed their class and only an unfortunate run out saw them miss out on top spot in both team and individual competitions, losing by a couple of marks to a mixed team. The longer course at the hottest part of the day saw frantic measures by support teams (parent & siblings!) to cool the horses at the finish by washing off and walking out but all mounts were soon back to normal.
Many thanks to Alex Darkes at Princethorpe and Andy Ruyssevelt from SRC for a fantastic event and congratulations to all riders on their success.
Individual placings:
80 ‘ Izzie 7th, Stella 9th, Millie 11th
90 ‘ Amy 6th, Imogen 7th, Nay 12th
100 ‘ Jack 3rd, Tom 8th, Grace 10th, George 11th