Just For Schools 1.00m & 1.10m Finals

Thursday 09 August 2018

1.00m Final

The individual winner of the Just For Schools 1.00m Final was 17 year old Olivia Francis riding Gatestown Diva whose stable name is Dawn. The pair who travelled to the Championships from Reading were representing Maiden Erlegh School and are also competing in the Just For Schools 1.10m Final.  “I’ve been riding Dawn for two years now on and off as Dawn is my sister’s horse who she has owned for four years. This has been an incredible achievement for us to win here today and I’m so proud of her.” Olivia and Dawn won the 1.10m Schools class at Hickstead but besides that this is one of their biggest wins together.

“I knew I needed to go clear but did not have a real game plan when going into the jump off. After fence three I just pushed her on and went for it!”

The winning team was Berkhamsted from Hertfordshire. The team have been riding together for a year and are really enjoying the Just For Schools League. The team members who were all 14 years of age explained that the aim for the class was to have three consistent clear rounds which they managed to do and in fact were the only team who managed to achieve this. Outside of the league Jake Barton and Talia Clare are Showjumpers whereas Georgie Beeby Wynn and Harriet Beeby Wynn (Twins) enjoy eventing their horses. Commenting in their win here at the Championships, Jack Barton said: “It’s a dream come true; I couldn’t be happier!”

1.10m Final

The individual winner in the 1.10m Just For Schools Final was Charley Hamilton aged 15 riding Castlebaldwin Golden Arrow. Having travelled down all the way from Aberdeen, they made sure that their time here at the Championships was worth the journey as they shot into the lead in a time of 37.75 seconds. The pair had also placed second earlier in the day in the Pony Silver League 148cm & Under Final. Charley has been riding Castlebaldwin Golden Arrow for one year and says “he knows his job well!” It is Charley’s last year on ponies and her sister Natasha will be taking over the ride of Castlebaldwin Golden Arrow for the 2019 season.

Making it a double win, Charley was also part of the winning team for the Just For Schools 1.10m team Championship, repeating her achievement from that of BSNC 2017. With five ponies and two horses here at the Championships this week it may well not be the last we hear from the budding young showjumper. Representing St. Margaret’s School for Girls, Charley’s team members were; Team Captain Jessica Fox (aged 16) riding All Saint and Natasha Hamilton (aged 13) riding The Kids Sister. All three riders jump at higher levels outside the Just For Schools League but they are really enjoying being part of the league as it allows them to compete for fun without too much pressure. “It is great experience to go out to bigger shows and our main aim is to have fun!”

The new incentive has proved increasingly popular, organised by British Showjumping in conjunction with The Pony Club and British Riding Clubs. It allows schools and colleges across the UK to submit teams of three or four riders and individuals within a specific height category: 70cm-1.10m. Each of these height categories are underpinned by a league table to determine who makes it through to the Championships as well as there being two direct qualifiers.

For more information on Just For Schools, visit http://www.britishshowjumping.co.uk/membership/Just-for-Schools-Membership 

It is not only competitors who are guaranteed a fabulous day out, the British Showjumping National Championships also offers a great family day of exciting competition, hospitality and afternoon tea offerings and a retail shopping village. Entry for spectators wishing to take advantage of this fantastic show is free and parking is only £5 per car. For more information please go to http://www.bsnationalchampionships.com/  or call 02476 858205.

Image Credit: 1st Class Images

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