Hickstead Championships - Hurstpierpoint College

Hickstead Championships

Half-term was rather busy for Hurst Equestrian, with the three-day NSEA Championship taking place at Hickstead Showground. Having qualified at various stages throughout the year, our riders were set to participate in the Eventers Challenge Championship, Country Dressage, and Showjumping Championships, along with the October Championship qualifiers.  

The level of competition was extremely tough throughout the weekend, and our Hurst riders certainly had to bring their A-game. In the Eventers Challenge Championship, Millie S achieved a lovely clear in the 70cm class, the 90cm team finished with a very respectable score of four faults, and the 1m team did extremely well to place 7th. A special mention must go to Luca C who stepped into this team with just a day’s notice! Placings were equally contested in the Country Dressage Championship, and whilst Hurst just missed out on the top scores, Tilda S finished with an impressive score of 68.27% on Delilah.  

Three Hurst riders had qualified for the Showjumping Championships, representing West Sussex. Despite a quick round, Lyla YJ and Zander just missed out on the top placings, but Morten D and Nimble placed 3rd in the 1.10m class and Lauren W and My Time IV blasted around the 90cm course to secure 2nd place. A hugely impressive performance across the board.  

For the final event of the weekend, the 1m Hickstead Elite Championship, Hurst was the only school to have qualified two teams to compete! Hurst Blue (Ellie A, Emma P, Luca C, and Lyla YJ) put on an impressive performance with a quick round and final score of zero faults, securing them 2nd place overall. Hurst Red also performed very well, finishing with a quick time and final score of four faults, putting them in 7th place.  

Bank holiday Monday also saw the riders compete in the qualifying classes for the October Championships, with Hurst putting forward multiple teams and individuals. Our riders had great success, with several qualifying for the Championships: the 70cm team took 1st place, with Izzy A also winning this class as an individual, and in the 1m class Hurst teams secured both 1st and 2nd place, with Emma P placing 3rd individually.  

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At the end of a long weekend, Hurst riders had achieved 5 championship placings, and qualified 3 teams and 3 individuals for the October Championships. A huge congratulations to all riders who represented Hurst at the Championships, and contributed to these fantastic results. Sophie Rees, Equestrian Assistant