Chasing the Hickstead Dream!
In January, eight riders and nine ponies travelled from Outwood Academy Easingwold to Northallerton Equestrian Centre for the NSEA County Showjumping. Students representing the academy ranged from Year 7 to Post 16.
Despite the cold weather, parents, guardians, friends and family turned out in order to support the riders.
Maddy Brown rode a super round, resulting in a 4th place finish in the 80cm as an individual.
The OAE80 Team (Anna, Darcey, Maddy and Bobbie) and the OAE90 Purple Team (Sophie, Bobbie and Darcey) both rode brilliantly, with a fantastic effort by all jockeys and ponies. Bobbie secured an individual 3rd place in the 90cm; an incredible result in a field of 74 riders.
With 16 teams starting in the 90cm, the OAE90 Black Team (Alice, Daisy, Holly and Sophie) finished in 2nd. Sophie also secured an individual 3rd in the same class out of 62 starters.
In the 100cm class, the OAE Black Team scooped 1st place, qualifying for the NSEA National County Championships at Hickstead, in May!
In the February half term holidays, the teams were back at out chasing golden tickets to compete in the championships at Hickstead.
OA Easingwold were competing at different levels in the Eventers Challenge, with riders completing a course of 20 jumps; 10 show jumps and 10 cross country jumps. The course was a complex one, with lots of twists and turns to really get the riders and their horses thinking.
The riders competing were:
70cm Individual - Ava Lidster, riding Calipso and Bobbie Hodgson, riding Steady Neddie.
80cm Individual - Bobbie Hodgson, riding Steady Neddie and Kathryn Featherstone, riding Streamstown Sarah.
OAE team: Alice Spivey and Fergus Fullstop, Daisy Lumley and Swallow, Holly Middlemiss and Champion, Sophie Gittus and Lindeth Preacher.
All riders gave the day 110%, taking on the challenging course.
Bobbie took 5th place in the 70cm class, an impressive result given that 28 riders started.
The team events followed, with fantastic results in both the 90cm and 100cm classes, proudly claiming 1st place in both! An incredible day with some amazing riding from the whole team.
The fantastic results achieved at the last two outings mean that the team will be heading to Hickstead in May, being able to compete in both the show jumping and the arena eventing finals.
Karen Spivey, Team Manager said:
“The start to the season has been fantastic, with a brilliant turn out. All the riders are a credit to the academy and the fact so many of them will be able to compete at Hickstead is amazing. It is a great opportunity for these young, local riders!”
The team has had lots of support, including that from local companies who saw the potential of the talented riders. Companies include: Emsley & Mavor Estate Agents, Brigantia, Brooks Garage, Revely's Groundworks and Landscaping, Howells Vets, BATA, Co-op, Browns Construction of Raskelf, Ken Teal Joinery and Construction, Church Farm Livery, Harrowells Solicitors, Easy Peasie Childcare and Neil Thorne Engineering.
