In an otherwise gloriously sunny week, on 4th August the heavens opened - and remained open the whole day. In this delightful English weather Burgess Hill School fielded a Senior and a Junior team in the Hurstpierpoint College National Schools and Pony Club Championships at Hickstead.
The Junior team consisted of Ella Popely, Rachael Hawkins and Libby Edwards. The team were the 20th team to jump and by then the ground was sodden and churned up from the previous competitors, and the girls and ponies where chilly and soaked.
Ella was the first to jump and completed a very professional clear round, despite the slippery conditions. Rachael was second on the course and after a slightly embarrassing refusal from her pony at the first fence, she went on to jump a nice round, just catching a pole on the double. Libby was third to jump and unfortunately slid into the bottom of fence 2, dramatically demolishing it. She then jumped well, just rolling a pole on one of the other fences. The Junior team finished on 16 faults, so dreams of riding in the International Arena will have to wait until next year. The winners were Akeley Wood School from Buckingham and Burgess Hill School were placed equal 15th,beating the home Hurstpierpoint College team.
The Burgess Hill School Senior team was made up of Katie Vaughan, Kelly Smith and Tor Edwards. The Senior class was halted halfway through as the organisers decided that the ground around the jumps had become too dangerous and all the jumps were repositioned. The Burgess Hill team were the 36th team to jump and by then the ground was once again treacherous, and the girls and their mounts were drenched.
Katie was first to jump and having slid into a couple of fences, sensibly retired. Kelly was next, and without the advantage of studs and hind shoes found the going particularly challenging. After a stop and slide at the second fence, her horse was not keen to take off and Kelly also retired. Tor, who had been at the event from the very start of the day watching her sister jump, rode amazinglyto get around the course on her fairly inexperienced horse, albeit taking a few poles. The event was won by Toothill Schoolfrom Nottingham.
Well done to all the girls (and parents) who turned out insuch atrocious weather and competed valiantly.
16/08/11
