Kimbolton School Equestrian Team have enjoyed more success this year across a range of levels, heights and disciplines.
Tilly R. (4th Form), Flora K. (3rd Form) represented the school at Bloxham Eventer Challenge Series over the winter months, both securing spots in the Championship in the 1metre and 65cm respectively. Honor C. also made her debut for the Equestrian Team on two occasions in the 65cm, both times narrowly losing out on a rosette due to an unfortunate 4 faults.
In November, a team consisting of Millie D. (1st Form), Charlie H-T. (2nd Form), Tilly R. and Lois Z. (4th Form), Emmy B. (5th Form) and Olivia W-B. (U6th, Captain) represented Kimbolton at the County Showjumping Qualifiers at Forest Edge Arena in Norfolk. Excellent rounds from the whole team left Lois as the Individual County Champion at 90cm, and Charlie, Tilly, Emmy and Olivia as Team County Champions at 1metre, all qualifying for the finals at the All England Jumping Course at Hickstead in May. Tilly R qualified two ponies for the SEG Eventing Finals at Dauntsey, competing on both in challenging conditions. She also qualified both ponies for the NSEA Eventing Finals, which was a long format at Moreton in Dorset in August and came 9th and 10th at the end of the three days.
A further trip to Forest Edge in January saw Millie, Tilly, Lois and Olivia compete again, and a debut from Megan R (5th Form). Kimbolton came away with a team 4th place in the 90 cm class, and a team 2nd in the 1 metre class. Successful outings to the Eventer Challenge competitions at Eland Lodge in February and March saw Tilly, Emmy and Flora qualify for NSEA championships at Hickstead, Emmy in the 1m, Tilly in the 90cm and 1m class and Flora in the 70cm.
A trip to Bury Farm in April saw Kimbolton School retain our title as Country Dressage Champions for Cambridgeshire, with Lois, Hattie M. and Olivia W-B. in the Open Dressage, and Flora, Millie B. (3rd Form), Tilly and Livi B. (L6), produced successful tests in the Prelim class. Livi and Olivia finished as County Champions in their respective classes. Particular mention should be made of Livi’s return to school competition following a long lay-off time for her horse this year, and a very successful debut for Millie.
Hattie, Lois, Tilly and Flora journeyed to Hickstead this May to take part in the Championships. They competed as a mixed team for the dressage (Open and Prelim) and finished 12th nationally; special mention should also go to Lois, who was placed 5th individually in the Pop-Up Dressage Elementary class. Flora did well around a technical eventer challenge course, but collected too many faults to be placed, and although Tilly put in a superb performance the size of the class, and an unlucky four faults, meant she missed out on a placing, despite a very competitive time.
Charlie H-T. will be competing at the British Showjumping Pony Premier in Somerset later this June and is working towards GB selection for showjumping.
As the year draws to a close, we would also like to thank Mrs King who has led the Equestrian Team for 11 years. Her dedication to the team and encouragement of younger or less experienced members has been a gift to pupils looking to ride for the school and her organisational skills are truly legendary.
Ms O’Donnell and Miss Morrell will take on the running of the team for next year and are looking forward to welcoming new riders and horses. We would encourage anyone interested to get in touch so that we can take part in an even greater number of events.
