Madeleine R. (Upper Sixth) started the half term break with a bang, taking the NSEA National County Novice Dressage title with an outstanding score of 75%. She was delighted to be standing on the top of the podium.
She had a busy afternoon, however, switching tack and dress immediately she had trotted down the centre line, to join Rory S. (Upper Sixth) and Tara M. (Lower Sixth) to contest the Open Eventers Challenge Championship class. With just three in the team this year, so no discard score, it was going to be tough to retain the title they won in 2024, but they put in three great rounds to take silver medal position. Madeleine also finished in 7th place as an individual.
Following this success she then headed to the BEU18 eventing qualifier at Blindley Heath on the Monday of half term, finishing the competition on her dressage scores in 1st and 2nd position with her two horses. For the rest of half term A-Level revision took over!
For Tara M. it was then a long trip up to Northumberland for the Belsay International Horse Trials, where she contested the 2* event. Amongst the youngest of the 43 riders who started in her section, Tara added just 2.4 cross country time penalties to a good dressage score to take 8th place. A top 10 finish in only her second event at this level was an outstanding result and we will be following her progress over the rest of this season as she seeks to impress the GBR selectors.
Rory and Madeleine have been at the centre of our Equestrian teams since they joined the Prep School and have both been part of several National Championship winning teams. We will miss them next year but wish them every success in both their A levels and their future riding endeavours.
