Eventful Equestrian

The month of February started off well with an Eventers Challenge Show at Petley Wood, near Battle East Sussex. Two Hurst students travelled for the competition with both having a successful show. Izzy A jumped a super round in the 80cm, winning the class, and Emma G was clear and 4th in the 90cm. These great results mean that both girls have qualified for the Areana Eventing Championship being held at Hickstead Showground in May.

The weekend of the 15/16th was then very busy for Hurst riders, with a Dressage competition on the Saturday, and another Eventers Challenge on the Sunday. The dressage competition was a great success with Ella F coming 3rd in the Restricted Prelim class. As the highest placed rider from West Sussex she became the County Champion, and has qualified to represent West Sussex at the Dressage County Championships held at Hickstead Showground in May. Ella has also qualified for the NSEA Championships help at Addington Manor in October. Sheona G was 4th in the Open Prelim class, qualifying her for the October Champs. In the Novice class Olivia S did an exceptional test, scoring 72.69% and placing 2nd, becoming County Champion, qualifying to represent West Sussex in May, and qualifying for the October Champs. The Hurst Team also successfully became County Champions and will represent West Sussex as a team in May – well done Louise MS, Danielle I, and Ella F.

Tracey Pargeter, Head of Equestrian at Hurst, said that she was “so proud of all the riders as for most of them it was their first dressage competition for NSEA or even ever!” A particular mention must go to Ella F, who qualified to represent West Sussex both as a team rider and an individual, who had never competed at Dressage competition before, and was the only rider who didn’t have her tests read while she competed. Well done Ella!

On the Sunday, Louise MS was the sole Hurst rider to represent the College at Coombelands for the Eventers Challenge. She competed well and came 3rd in the 80cm, qualifying for the Areana Eventing Championships in May.

For the final weekend of the month, Hurst Riders headed to Felbridge Showground for a showjumping competition, with qualifiers for the NSEA Championships in October and riders competing in heights ranging from 70cm to 1.10m. Well done to Louise MS who came 3rd in the 80cm, and won the 90cm! This qualifies her for the Championships in both classes, meaning that over the course of February she has qualified for the dressage, arena eventing and showjumping championships, well done Louise!! The Hurst Team just missed out on a qualification for the Champs in the 90cm, after coming 3rd, but it was a good effort from Emma G, Henry C, and Lars D.

Hurst riders preformed well in the 1m class as well, with Lars D coming 5th and Scarlet SH 6th, both just missing out on the championship qualification. And in the final class of the day, the 1.10m, Scarlet SH finished in 3rd position following a great round, again only just missing out on a qualifying spot as an individual.

A huge well done to all riders who have participated in shows this last month. It’s been great to see so many Hurst riders out and about in such a variety of disciplines, and it’s made even more special by the brilliant results and qualifications that so many students have achieved.