EQUESTRIAN team members are jumping for joy after securing their reputation as some of the best young riders in the country.
Students from The Allertonshire School, Northallerton, have again qualified for the National Schools Championships after coming first in the 70cm class at the North Yorkshire County qualifier staged in the town.
When they ride next in April it will be the second time they have competed in the nationals having performed well at this year’s event, held at Addington Manor, Buckinghamshire, in October.
The team comprises Ben Williamson, Amelia Trueman, Abbey Kirkwood and Ella Kitchen, who ride ponies Zac, Shadow, Charlie and Benji respectively. The team has just been strengthened further with the addition of young rider Jess Alderson.
Their performances so far have placed the school in the top 30 nationally despite the team having an average age of just 12.
As well as the riding, they have been at the heart of fundraising approaching local firms, friends and families.
Northallerton equestrian specialist Jason McIvor kitted out the team with jackets, hat silks and skins, while other companies provided raffle prizes, including sweets from Sugar Rush, while Sainsburys allowed them to bag-pack.
Team manger and deputy head teacher Melodie Websdale said she was delighted with how the students were riding.
“At the county qualifier Abbey was second individually and Amelia a creditable sixth,” she said. “In the 80cm class they came second despite being much younger than many of the competitors.
“At the nationals all our pairs went clear and on day two the team finished with four faults dropping them to 20th place in the show jumping. Day three saw them improve to 12th, which was excellent, again finishing on four faults as a team, but all times and style points were good.”
Abbey, who hopes to compete in British Eventing next year, said: “Riding is really exciting and it was great winning the county event.”
Ella, who hopes to compete in British Showjumping, added: “It is nerve-racking, especially the nationals, but we all love to ride and compete.”
