A NOTE FROM LEWESTON EQUESTRIAN MANAGER, LORRAINE ROBERTS
It has not been an easy summer, weather-wise, to care for and compete our horses with the hard ground giving way to wet conditions and sadly, some competitions and events were cancelled due to waterlogged ground
However, most have found plenty to keep themselves fully occupied and take advantage of the long summer days to spend time enjoying their horses.
I hope that this Summer Newsletter will provide you with all of the latest news, updates and achievements from our equestrians students at Leweston, over the summer
Many of our riders attended BS, BE and PC camps. Congratulations to Tara W who qualified ‘Cutton’s Princess’ for the Pony Club Show Jumping Championships
Madeline RS had a good win on Rocky at the NSEA ODE West Wilts in July, with May S also collecting a qualifying place and Josie M going double clear.
Maddie’s busy summer eventing programme brought further rewards as she qualified both her horses again for the Badminton Grass Roots Championships, qualified for the SEG ODE 100 Championships (Schools Equestrian Games) and has been selected to represent the South West in the U18 Eventing Championships.
Maddie RS Maddie RS
Darcie N has been on flying form with all three of her ponies, the highlight qualifying ‘Carmelia’s Girl’ for the hugely prestigious Pony Foxhunter Finals at the Horse of the Year Show. ‘Wainfelin Starlight’ (Missy) won the British Showjumping 138cm Bronze National title and ‘Rathcoona Bui’ (Rio) has been consistently placed in all his qualifiers Darcie also continues to excel at High Jump with another great victory and personal best at the South of England Athletics Championships jumping 168cm and achieving a personal best
Sixth Former and Equestrian Scholar, Charlie W, took advantage of our connection to Chedington Equestrian and attended a brilliant three-day eventing training clinic and masterclass with the three Olympic riders based there; Chris Burton, Jonelle and Tim Price
Charlie said the four training sessions were hugely helpful, with Chris and Jonelle giving her great advice and encouragement.
Charlie W
Charlie W
For the first time, we have sent a small group of Grass Roots riders to the NSEA GR Hickstead Championship Festival. A very happy time was had by the four riders who enjoyed staying away overnight, camping in tents, and stabling their ponies. The warm-up classes reaped three placings; 3rd place for Cece S in the 40cm, 2nd and 7th place respectively for Charlotte S and Poppy S in the 70cm.
This event has gone from strength to strength with numbers attending increasing every year. It provides a positive and encouraging environment to experience the unique atmosphere of a championship.
Cece S (Prep 4) and her pony ‘Ballymoat Sky’ (competing against 40 other young riders) rode a fluent jumping round to be rewarded with 4th place in the 40cm which is judged on style and clear rounds Charlotte S and her pony ‘Maid in Wales’ took the National GR Individual Championship title with a win in the 70cm. This class had 100 competitors entered and Charlotte’s speedy jump-off round remained unbeaten, Poppy S was just behind her in 13th place.
Cece S Charlotte SWe welcome Florrie C, Poppy S (Year 7) and Josie M (Year 9) as Equestrian Scholars and Thalia T and her horse ‘Lazlo’ who arrived from Germany just before the start of term Thalia will be a Year 12 full boarder and her horse will be stabled at Sherborne Equestrian
There has been a lot of interest from boarders and day pupils to ride this year; we have extended our after-school riding club sessions at Pevlings Farm stables and hope to offer Polo as an option as an additional riding activity
We ran two pre-season training sessions on 30 August, Nana Dalton expertly coached the seniors at the fabulous Chedington facilities, and five prep riders enjoyed a fun afternoon at Carter’s Barn thanks to the Strainge family.
We start the term with the NSEA ODE Championship at Moreton EC, run as a threeday event format. Ruby P and her pony ‘Special Brew’ compete in Dressage, cross-country with roads + tracks and steeplechase and the final day is the show jumping phase
We have a busy season ahead with competitions every weekend in September as we attempt to get teams and individuals qualified for the NSEA National Championships, held at Addington EC in October.
We welcome riders of all abilities (with their own pony or horse) to have a go at competing for our school. There really is something for all abilities. For more information please contact Lorraine Roberts (Equestrian Manager) robertsl@leweston.dorset.sch.uk
