The equestrian team at Ellesmere College are jumping for joy after a student won her class at a high profile qualifying competition.
Harriet Otter competed in the NSEA County Qualifiers at the Inter School Show and won the Individual County Qualifier Class.
The year 10 pupil and her horse Annie took first place against some stiff competition with a series of impressive clear rounds through the day.
The event, at South View Equestrian Centre on Saturday (MAR 16), qualifies school teams and riders to compete in the National Schools Final at Hickstead in May.
Harriet said: “We headed off in the morning, so by the time the course walk was scheduled for 4pm, I was quite nervous but also very excited.
“The course was a single phase round where half the course is jumped against the clock.
“Annie and I warmed up well and felt great. We jumped a clear round with a fast time and because I was drawn first to jump, I had to watch everyone after me hoping I stayed in top position.
“We are thrilled with our qualification for Hickstead and looking forward to the season ahead.”
Kate Curzon, teacher of Maths and Equestrian Team Coordinator at Ellesmere College, added: “Harriet’s win is a fantastic achievement in a testing class and we wish her the very best of luck at Hickstead.
“The Equestrian Team have had an impressive year and we are looking forward to building on this momentum in the future.
“It should be borne in mind that our team members could not compete without the incredible support of their hard-working parents, for which we are all very grateful.”
Harriet will now go on to compete in the Elite 1.10m Individual Final against all other regional qualifiers on May 11.
Ellesmere College has a well-established and successful Equestrian Team that has seen success at many levels of the National Schools events across the country including dressage, show jumping and eventing.
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