In June, the Equestrian team held their first ever online show. We were due to be competing at the National Finals at the illustrious All England Ground, Hickstead, and, as we couldn’t compete, I decided to cheer everyone up with an online competition.
We had 15 classes ranging from the traditional prettiest mare and most handsome gelding through to most annoying phrase your parents say at shows and best backwards riding move. We were lucky enough to have two fantastic judges joining our judging panel of Mrs P, Mr R, Mrs W, Miss H and Miss F as we felt they may need some help judging the traditional classes.
Izzy Taylor, team GBR Event rider, currently ranked 2nd in the UK and 26th in the world, joined the judging team to judge the cutest pony picture and then we also had the pleasure of Joe Stockdale, up and coming team GBR Showjumper, judging the best jump class. All the girls found their competitive edge again and the classes were very keenly fought, including some entries from parents.
I was particularly impressed at the girls’ efforts during lock down to learn new skills such as playing a musical instrument whilst riding, sheep shearing, volunteering at a vets during various surgeries and teaching pets to jump horse jumps. I think my favourite class was the funniest fall; this made me and the judge glad that we had two feet on the ground!
Well done to all those who took part and thank you to the judges for their wonderful feedback. At least Mrs P now knows what a gelding is!
