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equestrian
Equestrian The Dean Close Prep school equestrian programme has continued to develop and broaden with new and exciting riders joining the prep team riders. Despite the season being very stop-start with Covid restrictions and limitations the prep riders have secured some fantastic results and achievements, with National, Plate and Grass Roots qualifications. With over 20 Boys and Girls from the Prep-School either competing or learning to ride this year. There has been a huge increase in our team riders and the results are showing for themselves. Once again, this year the Dean Close Prep team riders have played an integral role this season, joining with riders from across the Foundation to qualify for major finals and secure national qualifications.
Dressage Over the October half term prep riders Maddie Melville Smith, Year 7, and Ella-Grace Dovey, Year 6, joined with the Senior team riders to contest the National NSEA dressage qualifiers at Kings Bromyard. Both riders rode beautifully to support the team to take two team National qualifications and Maddie achieved individual National qualification in the Prelim.
Eventer Challenge The Michaelmas term campaign saw a new event for the Dean Close equestrian programme as we hosted an Eventer Challenge NSEA National qualifier. Team came from across the country and our own Dean Close Senior team took the 90cms win. Arthur Clarkson, Year 7, produced a lovely round over 24 very challenging fences.
NSEA Dressage Grass Roots Fenella Cradock, Year 5, and Marielle Del Valle headed out to the Grass Roots Dressage qualifier in December at Kings Bromyard both girls rode lovely tests to achieve qualification in both Intro and prelim finals. These were delayed due to lockdowns until March 2021. Again, both girls did some fabulous riding, Fenella took reserve champion in both Intro and Prelim Grass Roots National South West Finals.
New Partnerships Ella- Grace Dovey, Year 6, started a new partnership with DST Don’t Panic, they have an impressive start to their dressage career together achieving individual National and County Cup qualification for both prelim and novice. Outside of school Ella-Grace has continued to progress with the BD youth team and achieved huge success in winning the Novice Petplan Bronze dressage finals.
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