A double win for the Kings of Wessex School Black Team
Tuesday 08 August 2017
It was not just one, but two wins for the Kings of Wessex School Black Team as they took both the 90cm and the 1.00m Just For Schools National Championships on day one of the British Showjumping National Championships, at the NAEC Stoneleigh in Warwickshire.
The team who travelled up for the finals from Cheddar, Somerset proudly retained their title as winners of the 1.00m final at last year’s Championship, whilst also gaining another. They saw off stiff competition from all teams; with 10 teams in the 90cm final and six teams in the 1.00m final, being the only team to finish on a score of zero. The team consisted of; Sam Fountain, Katie Thomas, Florence Human and Iona Impey, Alice Sanderford. Now aged 18, Sam has ridden in her last season of the Just for Schools League so it was the perfect finish to the series. She commented: “We are all looking forward to competing at The Pony Club championships in a few weeks’ time and hope to do just as well there.”
The winner of the 90cm Individual competition was Charley Hamilton riding Kayem Fridays Dance. Last year the pair won the 80cm Individual title so they were delighted to return this year having stepped up to the next level. Charley also came third with her second ride, Taraco Emerald.
In the 1.00m individual competition, first place went to Jessica Fox, aged 15 from Aberdeen, riding Katherine Fox’s All Saint. In second was Katie Thomas riding ZorbaIV who also took fifth with LLF Marbella.
The new incentive which was brought in last year has proved increasingly popular, organised by British Showjumping in conjunction with The Pony Club and British Riding Clubs. It allows schools and colleges across the UK to submit teams of three or four riders and individuals within a specific height category: 70cm-1.10m. Each of these height categories are underpinned by a league table to determine who makes it through to the Championships as well as there being two direct qualifiers. For more information on Just For Schools, visit http://www.britishshowjumping.co.uk/membership/Just-for-Schools-Membership
