Grassroots Championships Sucess, and Further Qualifications

On the 20^th of August, Hickstead Showground hosted the NSEA Grassroots Championships. The grassroots classes are designed to give the younger and less experienced students a confidence-building start to their competitive careers. Pupils from the prep school have been working hard in the preceding months, resulting in multiple qualifications for the championships.

The day started with the 40cm class, which two Hurst riders competed in as individuals. The results of this class are based on completing the course with as few faults as possible, alongside a style mark which the judge gives based the riders position, balance, and ring craft. Hettie MC and Sienna P both jumped lovely clear rounds in this class, with Hettie scoring a brilliant style mark (34/40) resulting in her taking home 4^th place in the championship.

In the following championship class, the 50cm, Hurst put forward a team and Hettie again competed as an individual. This was an optimum time class, with the results being determined by faults and how close the rider finishes to the optimum time. Well done to team members and sisters Hettie and Florence MC both jumped lovely clears, but sadly the team finished outside of the prizes. Hettie however delivered another fantastic performance, finishing only 0.22s off the optimum time, resulting in her coming 2^nd in the unrestricted section, and 3^rd in the overall Championship results. Well done Hettie for two phenomenal results!  

Meanwhile, in ring 4 they were also running qualification classes for the NSEA Championships being held in October at Addington Manor in Buckinghamshire. The classes started well with the 70cm team winning their class and qualifying, well done Florence MC, Darcey G, and Rosie C. Rosie did a brilliant quick clear round which resulted in her finishing in 2^nd place, gaining her another qualification for the championships as an individual. Later on, the 90cm team had similar brilliant results, finishing in 1^st place and qualifying for the championships. Well done Emma G, Henry C, and Lars D. Lars only just missed out on an individual qualification, finishing in 5^th place.

A huge congratulations to all the students who represented Hurst at this show, these are some brilliant results to end the summer with and will carry the Equestrian Team forward to success in the new academic year.