Equestrian success for Borders schools

Pupils, staff and supporters from four Borders schools did the 700 mile round trip to compete at the prestigious event in Buckinghamshire which has now run for nearly 20 years.

About 1000 riders qualify each year to compete in various levels of dressage, show jumping and jumping with style competitions over three days of intense competition. And talented children from around the Borders enjoyed some very good results.

Jedburgh Grammar School were thrilled to win the Championship of the 95cm show jumping in the Olympic size Arena on the Saturday night. The team of Emma Stenhouse, Samantha Martin, Rebecca Dun & Ellie Meldrum qualified for the final in sixth place. A lovely, sensible clear round from last to go Ellie Meldrum on Sylvestor 60 helped the team to finish on a team score of four faults to take the title.

The Earlston team of Shannon Purves, Gabrielle Purves and Katie Rourke, despite not having a fourth member in their squad to use as a drop score, all did lovely rounds to finish in sixth place overall.

Morebattle Primary (only one of two primary schools involved in the Championships) and Kelso High had both qualified in the top eight teams for the 75cm Championship later that night. A nerve racking competition saw it coming down to the final pony to jump to decide which of these two teams would be champion as they were the only two teams on a zero score. Last to jump Katy McFadyen on Bounty 11 rode an accurate and careful round to help her team mates from Morebattle take the honours by 1.5 seconds from their near neighbours at Kelso High School whose team comprised of Amy Ralston, Frankie Home Mossop, Georgia Buckley and Rebecca Buckley.

This was a fitting finale for the Morebattle Team who were riding in their last competition before moving up to Kelso High School.

This trip obviously took a lot of planning and financing. All the schools involved would like to take this opportunity to thank all individuals, organisations and businesses that supported and donated to their fund raising efforts. A mention also to the parent’s and team managers who organised all the logistics.

Teams

Kelso High School sent 13 riders and 12 horses (Louise Hebdon, Erin Lathangie, Emily Edgar, Duncan McFadyen, Jessica Howlett, Amy Ralston, Frankie Home Mossop, Georgia Buckley, Rebecca Buckley, Morven Shanks, Olivia Stratford, Angus Lathangie & Hannah Thomson).

Jedburgh Grammar were represented by 8 riders and 10 horses (Emma Stenhouse, Samantha Martin, Rebecca Dun, Ellie Meldrum, Millie Scott, Becky Forster, Lucy Brown & Lucy King).

Morebattle Primary had 4 riders & 8 ponies (Katy McFadyen, Katie Edgar, Vicky Edgar & Alex Edgar).

Earlston High School had 3 riders and 4 horses (Shannon Purves, Gabrielle Purves and Katie Rourke).

Results

95cm Showjumping: 1st & Champions, Jedburgh Grammar School (Emma Stenhouse, Samantha Martin, Rebecca Dun, Ellie Meldrum); 6th, Earlston High School (Shannon Purves, Gabrielle Purves, Katie Rourke).

1m Jumping with Style: 8th, Kelso High School (Duncan McFadyen, Jessica Howlett, Erin Lathangie, Louise Hebdon).

75cm Showjumping: 1st & Champions, Morebattle Primary School (Katy McFadyen, Katie Edgar, Vicky Edgar, Alex Edgar); 2nd, Kelso High School (Amy Ralston, Frankie Home Mossop, Georgia Buckley, Rebecca Buckley).

75cm Showjumping (Individual) 8th, Kelso High School (Frankie).

75cm Jumping with Style: 6th, Morebattle Primary School A (Katy, Katie, Vicky, Alex); 7th, Morebattle Primary School B (Katy, Katie, Vicky, Alex).

85cm Showjumping (Individual): 3, Jedburgh Grammar School (Ellie).

85cm Jumping with Style: 9th, Earlston High School (Shannon, Gabrielle, Katie); 10, Morebattle Primary School B (Katy, Katie, Vicky, Alex).

85cm Jumping with Style (Individual): 6th, Jedburgh Grammar School (Ellie).

Dressage (P17): 7, Jedburgh Grammar School (Samantha).