The Kingsley Riding Squad now has nine members, many of whom already compete for the school. We have continued with our regular training sessions in Showjumping, Dressage and Arena Eventing. We very much miss our riding captain Georgia, who left school in July last year, but are delighted to welcome Daisy (Year 7) who is already becoming an active and committed member of the squad.
Our riders have had a brilliant year. Here are some of the highlights…
Francesca (Year 9) qualified for the NSEA Championship last year, where she rode two ponies, winning her Jumping with Style Championship Class and coming 5th and 7th in the Showjumping. Excitingly, Francesca has also qualified for the NSEA Hickstead Elite Individual Championships in June and will be riding two ponies in the 1.10m class in the main arena. Francesca was also part of a Kingsley team which came 1st in the NSEA Arena Eventing competition at Hartpury, qualifying for the Championships in October.
Abi B was part of the winning team at Hartpury and also qualified for Hickstead by coming individual 3rd in the CLC Eventer Challenge at Rectory Farm in March. Outside of school, Abi has had huge success in mounted games where her team were Reserve Champions at HOYS in both the Prince Philip Cup and the Le Mieux Cup. In Pony Club Mounted Games, she was voted North Warwickshire’s Best Individual for 2024. In Riding Club Showjumping, she was Under 18 Leading Showjumper in 2024 for Stoneleigh Riding Club (SRC) and won both the 80cm and 90cm classes in an Area 5 Event in January.
It has been an exciting year in Polo Cross for Isla (Year 8). She was the youngest overseas player to be invited to play in the New Zealand Junior National Championships and was part of the winning team. In addition, Isla flew to South Africa in May to play in the UK versus SA U14s Test Matches. Although South Africa won the weekend, Isla had a fantastic time playing for her country and was a very supportive and valued team member.
Martha (Year 9) has progressed from a lovely grey pony, Misty, to an equally lovely grey horse, Rupert and will be out competing for Kingsley again soon. In the meantime, she will be competing at the Area 5 dressage event for SRC on a young horse from Ekko Equestrian.
Continuing her success in Showjumping, Amelia (Year 10) was part of the winning Kingsley team at Hartpury with Francesca and Abi. She is aiming for the National Showjumping Championships and, to prepare, is training over open water jumps, which are compulsory at this level. She is also working hard bringing on her new horse.
Daisy (Year 7) has already represented Kingsley in the CLC Eventing Competition at Rectory Farm, where she had a lovely clear round. She has had a great start to the new Vaulting season and is on track to qualify for the British Championships later this year. She represents Alvechurch Riding Club and her team has just qualified in the 70cm combined challenge class for the National Championships. Daisy is also having a very successful dressage season. She was awarded the Dressage Rider of the year trophy at the WWCC annual awards and qualified two ponies at the National Championships where she was placed individual 3rd. In addition, she is competing with her pony, Saffy, in the BD Quest and is on track for qualifying for the National semi-finals and ultimately the final.
Lilly (Year 8) has continued her showing success. She and her pony, Marsh Walk On By, won their class (an open class including adults) at HOYS in October and went on to win their Working Hunter Class at the London International Horse Show at Christmas.
At just 10 years old, Belle (Year 5) is already making her mark in the world of Dressage. She has been competing fearlessly in the highly competitive international and European selection classes at British Dressage Premier League and High Profile shows. In what is widely considered the most challenging youth category, Belle has remarkably secured not one, but three podium finishes, claiming a superb 2nd place and two 3rd places. Every one of these performances achieved internationally qualifying scores – an exceptional feat for any rider, let alone one so young. Belle’s trusted partners in the arena are her two beloved ponies: Mushroom (Champignon Sauvage) and Lolly (Brouwershaven Leonie). She dreams of following in the footsteps of Kingsley’s remarkable dressage alumni – Emily Austin, Harriet Kipping and Becky and Keri Bates – who all proudly represented Team GB.
Article by Mrs Jessett, Riding Coordinator
