SEDBERGH SCHOOL’S EQUESTRIAN TEAM QUALIFIES FOR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Sedbergh School entered its first Equestrian competition last month, and the three girls competing qualified for the National Finals in April. The National Schools Equestrian Association county qualifiers took place at the end of November in Northallerton. News of this new sporting venture came as Sedbergh Summer Courses launched a Horse Riding and Trekking course for 2015.

Storm Straker (Lupton), Phoebe Thorpe (Robertson) and Sophie Webber (Lupton) entered as a team and individuals into the Class 3 Showjumping (90 cm) and Class 4 Show Jumping (1m). All three qualified as a team in Class 3 to represent Cumbria at the Cortex County Challenge to be held on 17th and 18th April at Bury Park, Leighton Buzzard. Storm Straker, riding Gismo, qualified in first place in Class 3 to take the individual title with an outstanding round of 25.70s. 

Lucia Sdao, Head of Girls’ Games, Said: “This is the start of the journey for Sedbergh’s Equestrian team. We currently have 17 girls who own horses and who are keen to be involved in either Show Jumping, Dressage or Eventing. We look forward to our team growing in popularity and we wish the girls well at the National Finals, representing Cumbria.”

The outcome was particularly pleasing for Phoebe Thorpe: “I was really proud of my horse Joey, as this was only his second competition after an accident that took place during the Summer.”

Sophie Webber, from Thirsk, said: “It was a real privilege to be part of this team. My horse is only young and has never jumped apart from in his eventing. I was really pleased with the way he performed, and it was great to qualify for the Championship.”

Storm Straker, also from Yorkshire, said: “It is great to have brought riding to Sedbergh and wonderful that there were so many volunteers who offered to compete – it is a shame that more couldn’t attend the event but I am looking forward to next Spring when there there will be more qualifiers, which is always great fun.”

Sedbergh Summer Courses launch a new riding and trekking course in 2015, in partnership with BHS Highly Acclaimed Stonetrail Riding Centre, to encourage and inspire young riders. Find out more here

Follow Sedbergh: