Sixty children qualify for Royal final
The British Horse Society Equitation Competition for riding
schools nears climax, and this year has attracted international
recognition.
Tuesday 13 April will see sixty children competing in The
British Horse Society's (BHS) Equitation Competition, sponsored
by the Elise Pilkington Trust, at Warwickshire College in
front of HRH The Princess Royal. The children, all riding
school clients who do not own their own pony, have qualified
from across the UK and, for the first year from Hong Kong,
in what is the only competition of its kind.
Accompanied by their instructors, the children will be competing
on riding school ponies in a short dressage test and over
a show jumping course watched by The Society's Royal President.
Each competitor will also sit a half hour theory test containing
multiple-choice questions based on horse care and welfare.
Qualifiers are held at BHS Approved Riding Establishments
across the country, and this year an overseas BHS Approved
Riding School in Hong Kong has supported this unique competition.
Competitors can also enter from any licensed riding school,
and there are two age groups for the competition; 13 years
and under and 17 years and under. Rosettes and training vouchers,
to be spent on riding lessons or further training, are awarded
up to sixth place, with a cup being presented to the qualifier
winners. The riding instructors of the winners are also rewarded,
and riders placed first and second in each age group are invited
to compete in the Final, to be judged by Jane Goldsmith, FBHS
and Margaret Linington-Payne BHSI, BHS Senior Manager for
Training Examinations and Approvals. The Princess Royal will
be presenting the awards at the Final, which will include
a commemorative medallion for every competitor and rosettes
to tenth place. The overall winner of each age group will
receive a sash and prizes, including training vouchers, plus
awards for their instructors.
The last time the final was held, in 2002, the winners came
from Berriewood Farm in Shropshire (17 years and under) and
St Veep in Cornwall (13 years and under) and both riding schools
are represented again. Berriewood instructor Jane Baker has
pupils Amira Prescott, Lorna Preece and Holly Thomas with
Sarah McGrath's pupil Gillian Coleman all making the journey
together. Jo Barron from St Veep will be bringing her star
pupils Kim Philip and Bethany Clench, the latter hoping to
repeat her success of two years ago although she is now in
the older age group.
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