Sedbergh Equestrian Team Crowned National Champions

Report written by Equestrian Team Manager, Mrs Faye Barker

Our Team of 18 horses and 15 riders, which is our biggest team yet, had the most successful and fantastic time at the National Schools Championships at Keysoe International.  We had Prep and Senior School riders competing at every height from 75cm to 1m 10cm and every discipline from Arena Eventing to Show Jumping to Dressage over 5 days.  The team camaraderie was quite special with everyone helping each other every step of the way. Our 95cm Arena Eventing Gold Team were crowned National Champions against many qualified teams with Kate S taking the Individual National title. We also had two other 95cm teams competing in the same class, which both finished in the top 8 in the UK with 5^th and 7^th place respectively, so we were absolutely delighted.  This shows the huge depth of talent to our team.  

Other top results include our 85cm Arena Eventing Team and Show Jumping Team which were both Reserve National Champions against approximately 45 qualified teams, so we just missed out on two more National titles.  The 75cm Mini Arena Eventing Team finished 4^th Nationally, our 1m Eventing Team came 6^th Nationally and our older riders gained top 8 individual places in the UK in the 1m 10.  Finally, our Dressage Team finished 3^rd Nationally with individual places in Prelim, Novice and Elementary tests. Our results were phenomenal and testament to everyone’s hard work all year gaining qualifications.

“Every single one of our 15 riders finished in the top 8 in a team or individually so came home with a rosette and legendary NSEA bucket.  We were so delighted about and made some special memories together.”  

Thank you to the Team behind the team which included parents, family, grooms and coaches who all made this happen. The Sedbergh spirit shone throughout with Team Dinners each night and everyone helping out at the stable yard. Thank you to Hamish H for his huge efforts in helping the organisers with stewarding for 5 days too. It was lovely to have the Head of Girls Games, Miss Leach, and the Robertson and Lupton Housemistress, Mrs Christy and Mrs Macdonald, to come down to support the team as well.  A real Sedberghian effort. 

Results over the 5 days

Day 1

• 75 cm Arena Eventing – 4^th    

Penny V, Harriet Ba and Olivia M

Day 2

85cm Arena Eventing (2 teams finished in the top 8 in UK)

• Reserve National Champions  – Gold Team: Millie JP, Penny V, Emilia B and Olivia M.

• 5^th – Brown Team: Elsie B, Emilia B, Kate S and Rosie W

85cm SJ – Reserve National Champions

• Emilia B, Georgia B, Olivia M, Elsie B

Day 3

95cm Arena Eventing (3 teams in top 8 in UK)

National Champions – Gold Team: Scarlett H, Kate S, Katie W and Emilia B

Brown Team: 5th : Emilia B, Kate S, Rosie W and Tamsin S

Navy Team: 7th:  Elsie B, Millie JP, Ted D, Olivia M.

95cm Arena Eventing Individual Results

National Champion – Kate S

3^rd – Emilia B

7^th – Scarlett H

Day 4

1m Arena Eventing – 6th:  Ella T, Kate S, Katie W and Scarlett H

1m Arena Eventing Individual Results:

3^rd – Kate S

1m 10 Arena Eventing Individual Results

3^rd – Kate S

4^th – Scarlett H

7^th – Ella T

Day 5

Dressage Team – 3rd

Emilia B, Rosie W and Hannah C

Dressage Individual Results

Prelim Dressage – 5^th Rosie W

Elementary – 6^th Rosie W