On the last day of term, Sidcot Equestrian Team packed up their camping and competition kit ready for three very busy days at the NSEA National Arena Eventing Championships at Hickstead.
In order to compete at this prestigious venue, riders needed to have placed 1st or 2nd as part of a team, or finished in the top four individuals at qualifying events earlier in the year. We had qualified six teams from Sidcot across all four heights.
On the first day, the classes started at 7.30am and continued through to 5.00pm, with over 50 teams in each class! It was a very early start for the 70cm team riders as they were the 3rd team to ride around the course.
Charlotte, Olivia, Wilf and Jemima got the weekend off to a flying start with all riders getting a brilliant clear round and placing themselves into the lead, but we had to wait and see if they could hold this position with so many other teams left to go. With only one other team getting closer to the optimum time, with less than 0.02 seconds separating us, Sidcot Equestrian Team finished in an incredible 2nd place.
Next up on Saturday was the 1m class where Hattie, Nelly, and Ava were all representing Sidcot as a team of three, meaning all scores would count! The organisers had decided to change things slightly this year and use two arenas to split the showjumping and cross-country element up. All three riders put in a fantastic effort, picking up just one fault each but still securing an 8th place finish! It was an amazing start to the weekend with both teams placing on the first day.
After a very busy Saturday, it was now time for the 80cm class where Sidcot had two teams qualified. The Sidcot Blue (Jemima, Charlotte, Wilf and Olivia) jumped brilliantly, finishing on a team total of just four faults, and the Sidcot Yellow (Hattie, Hugo, Nelly and Archie) all jumped clear but were a few seconds away from the optimum time, meaning they finished just outside the placings in 16th place.
Both horses and riders were beginning to feel the effects of the previous few days, but the sun was shining again for the final day. This time it was the 90cm class, again with two teams from Sidcot competing at this height. The Sidcot Yellow team (Olivia, Wilf and Ava) were the first to jump and set a fantastic standard. All riders completed the course, tapping an unlucky show jump to finish on four faults as a team, but very close to the optimum time. They ended the class in 11th place. A few hours later it was time for the Sidcot Blue team (Archie, Hugo, Nelly and Hattie) to take on the course. They completed the course and finished on a team score of 0 faults, ending in 9th place overall.
A huge well done to all the riders, horses and, of course, the parents for such a successful weekend. Also particular thanks to team coach Sophie Clarke, for preparing the riders so well in the lead up to this Championship.
