Equestrian Centre Update
Welcome to all those students, day and boarding, who have returned to school, to Sidcot riders Carla Tietjen, Charlotte Mueller- Kallmeyer, Freiderike Hott, Tamsyn Leopold, Archie Stamp, Evie Puddy, Emily Mugford and Abbie Bewley, and of course to the new horses.
We are very excited about working with you all in the coming year. The new horses are settling in nicely, albeit the German horses are still looking a little perplexed when I talk to them in English, with an Irish twang! The students storage units have been painted and are slowly filling with numerous pieces of tack, rugs etc.. The horse shower and solarium are a work in progress and Tom’s field is regularly occupied with students and horses displaying their jumping prowess.
I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate our Equestrian team on last year’s success. Their dedication and resilience paid off with some fantastic results at the National Schools Equestrian (NSEA) championships – second in show jumping, fourth in dressage and a first and fifth in eventing. We are so proud to be achieving such success at a national level. We wish the team well for the championships next month.
Exciting times lay ahead for the Equestrian Centre
For those students who are interested in riding but don’t have a horse at School, riding is offered through our partners at Urchinwood Manor (book lessons here).
From September, students aged 14 and above who have an interest in furthering their Equestrian knowledge can study for their BHS stages 1 and 2 exams.
For those who have a horse at school, our highly qualified team trainers are available daily for both private and group tuition. Please come down to the stables to plan your schedule of riding around your timetable.
Throughout the year Sidcot will host guest trainers and equestrian excursions – look out for information in the newsletters.
On a personal note, I am extremely proud of the Equestrian students and look forward to working with you all again on a permanent basis. I’d like to remind students that haven’t yet been involved in riding at Sidcot that equestrian is for everyone, whether you want to represent the School on the National circuit on your own horse or whether you want to have a go at riding for the first time at Urchinwood. Don’t be shy, come and say hello to us on the yard – either myself, Yard Manager Sarah Barker, or our Head Groom Zoe Aston, or come and say hello to the horses that are here. You will be warmly welcomed. For more information on any of these initiatives, please email me or come down to the yard.