Beechwood Equestrian News

What a busy and successful term it has been for the Beechwood Equestrian Team, with some fabulous team and individual achievements. Here is a summary of the year so far:

NSEA Grassroots Showjumping Show March 2023

The entire squad participaged in this show and depsite wet weather and an early start, the riders were fabulous and had the added bonus of seeing our Prime minister Rishi Sunak as he was there too watching his daughter ride!

The teams and results are as follows:

40cms: Cecily D on Starlite Dancer, Euan H on Cosford Limbo, Florence D on Rosslyn Christopher Robin and Frank H on Hillin Camelot

This class was judged not only on ability but also on style, The Beechwood team. comprised of two sisters and two brothers, won a Team 3rd with Frank H coming an individual 2nd in the class. This means they have qualified for Regional Grassroots Championships.

50cms: Frank on Hillin Camelot, Violet G on Jackets

Domingo Eleanor on Mayboy Brandy Snap and Florence on Rosslyn Christopher Robin

The 50cms was run with an optimum time and the riders not only had to go clear but also to get as close to it as possible. They coped brilliantly and won a team 2nd, meaning that they too have qualified for the Regional Grassroots Show Jumping Championships. Florence D in particular, showed maturity with her ringside awareness, riding a seriously competitive timed clear and gained 6th place. Well done to Flo!

60cms: Eleanor P on Mayboy Brandy Snap, Florence D on Rosslyn Christopher Robin, Violet G on Jackets Domingo. No team placing here or individual but all girls tried their hardest.

70cms: Guy G on Old Forge Rum Punch, Leo R on Coco, Nicole I on Sailin Dandy and Chloe I on Toureen Bob. This team came second, meaning they too have qualified for the Grassroots Regional Show Jumping Championships.

80cms Nicole I on Sailin Dandy, Chloe I on Toureen Bob, Rory L on Rosscon Mia and John G on Galcross Amigo. This team came a spectacular first place, with Nicole I riding a fast clear to get an individual 3rd and Rory riding clear to get an individual 8th.

90cms: John and Rory stepped up for this class which is the biggest competing height of any Beechwood NSEA rider to date. They were up against older riders on bigger horses on a full up to height course. Both boys rode really well and whilst not perfect, they really got their teeth into their rounds. Rory and his new partner Roxy came 10th and John and Milo 16th.

The Beechwood Park Equestrian Squad has had a terrific run of it lately with much competition success, as can be seen below:

• National Championship Qualifiers Eventers Challenge 75cms and 85cms - Champs at Hickstead May 2023 Rory L, ,John G, Nicole I and Chloe I

• Hertfordshire County Show Jumping Champions 70cms which Qualifies for National Show Jumping Championships - Hickstead May 2023 Rory L, Guy G, Nicole I and Chloe I

• Combined Training National Schools Championships - October 2023 Rory L, John G, Nicole I and Leo R

• INDIVIDUAL National Championship Qualifiers 2023 Nicole I - Eventers Challenge 85cm and Show Jumping 80cms; John G - Eventers Challenge 85cms; Rory Eventers Challenge 75cms, Dressage and Combined Training (Show Jumping and Dressage) 70cms

• Regional Grassroots Show Jumping Championships 2023: Cecily D, Euan H, Florence D, Eleanor P 40cms; Frank H, Violet G, Eleanor P, Florence D 50cms; Guy G, Leo R, Nicole I, Chloe I 70cms

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Thank you to all our riders, their parents for transporting and supporting them and of course their wonderful ponies. Thanks also to Team Manager Mrs Laing without whom none of this would be possible.

We look forward to bring you news of the team’s next events later in the Summer Term.

Kids Judge BETT 2023

The BETT Show, held every year at London’s ExCel Centre, is the world’s leading EdTech show, featuring three days of inspiring content, networking and innovative product demonstrations from top solution providers.

An integral part of the show is an initiative called Kids Judge BETT , a student-led event, organised by Katy Potts from Islington Council in partnership with BESA (British Educational Suppliers Association).

It runs across the Bett and sees pupils judging and exploring all the stands, exhibitors and their products and choosing their favourites across ten categories. Pupils then announce their chosen winners live on stage and hand out coveted chocolate trophies to the worthy winners. This year, the presentaton featured a special guest appearance from writer and poet and former Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen!

This year, Beechwood was amongst a group of eight schools chosen to send a team of judges to the shoon 31 March to choose a winning exhibitor, based on a range of criteria. Pupils are expected to act in strict impartiality in announcing their winners.

Beechwood pupils applied for and were interviewed in order to become a judge.

Congratulations to our final eight judges, who represented the School at this prestigious event:

Our judges, and their motivation for applying for the role, were:

• Aria (Year 5):“I’m really interested in how technology can make life easier and more fun using things which are accessible to everybody”;

• Jonas (Year 5): “as a user of many educational sites and learning platforms. I have an insight into what works and what does not”

• Hari (Year 6): : “I love all high gadget stuff and gaming and think I have the knowledge and enthusiasm to be a great judge and will be fair at all times.”

• Clemency (Year 5): “ I am fair when judging and never have a favourite. I love all sorts of technology and am quite good at figuring out how things work and if they’re good or not.”

• Will H (Year 6): “I have applied to be part of #kidsjudgebett for the opportunity to see and judge technology that could become big, as I can develop my interest and knowledge on technology.”

• Alex H (Year 6): “I enjoy watching engineering product reviews on YouTube, so would like to try reviewing and giving recommendations myself.”

• Albert (Year 6): “I also like judging shows like Britain’s Got Talent and Strictly Come Dancing from home.”

• Katherine T (Year 5) “I think it will be fun to judge other people’s ideas. I like judging routines such as funniest person at break time or gymnastics competitions.”

The jury members all thoroughly enjoyed their day at BETT, with the highlight being announcing their chosen winner, live on stage with Michael Rosen.

Having surveyed a number of different edtech products, testing the benefits and consdering who the audience for each may be, the panel selected BLUE FROG ROBOTICS as their winner. Blue Frog are a pioneer and leader in social robotics, and create “Robots for Good” that embody Emotional AI to drive significant positive impact on major social issues: Education, Inclusion of vulnerable people and Ageing population. A World First, the company deploys the largest fleet of humanoid tele-education robots in the world after winning a contract from the French Ministry of National Education to fight against isolation of Hospitalized children to be “tele-present”. In addition, their robot, Buddy, can serve as a teaching assistant, student’s learning companion as well as an essential teaching tool for coding and programming.

Beechwood Judges chose this product as they all saw the very many benefits to children, notably children in hospital who may be feeling lonely or who may struggle to make friends, as well as more extensive benefits of helping to learn languages and aid communication skills.

Well done to all our judges, and especially Katherine and Will who announced their winner in front of a packed crowd on the arena stage! Thank you too to the parents who accompanied their children to BETT, and to the other Beechwood families who came along in support.

Mr Buddie Director of Digital Learning