National Schools Riding Championships

2nd November, 2011

Earlier this year five Packwood children qualified for the National Schools Riding Championships and the competition took place at Addington Manor during the autumn half-term. The competition is open to all senior and junior schools in the independent and state sector alike throughout the country so qualifying in itself was a magnificent achievement.

Representing Packwood at the event was a team of three current pupils and one Old Packwoodian, Thea H, who was a qualifying team member in the summer but who left for senior school at the end of the academic year; and one individual competitor, Sophie B.

Sophie qualified for the final eight jump-off in her 75cm Show Jumping class and came home with the seventh placed individual's rosette. Scott W, Jack A, Simon W and Thea competed in the 85cm team Show Jumping class and came ninth, missing the final eight jump-off by only 0.14 of a second! However, they made up for that disappointment by finishing an excellent sixth in the Arena Eventing class.
 
The children’s success was capped off by their delight at being presented with a Regional Award. A points system operates in the eight regions around the country and points are gained by all riding competitors in all schools events. Packwood won the North West of England award which the children collected together and then celebrated with an unmounted lap of honour. Many congratulations to these five – and to all those children who have competed in Packwood colours.