Riding is just secondary nature (From Gazette)

Riding is just secondary nature

11:26am Monday 20th September 2010 in July

AMEMBER of a new secondary school horse-riding team got through to a national equestrian final at her first attempt.

Chelsea Holland was crowned open individual showjumping champion at the regional finals of the National Schools Equestrian Association event, at New Hall School in Norton Heath.

The Year 10 pupil will now go on to represent Greensward Academy, in Greensward Lane, Hockley, at the national finals in December. This was the first competition the newly-formed equestrian club at Greensward had entered.

Fellow pupils Paige Shaddock and Bre Chittenden approached their teachers to see whether the school could form a team to allow them to enter competitions.

Paige, 17, said:“There are a lot of pupils at Greensward who ride and are of a high standard. It made sense to bring us together so we could represent the school.

“The club is open to pupils of any age who have access to a horse. It is not about winning everything, it is about going along and having some fun.”

Paige was unable to take part in the first event after becoming injured, but went along to New Hall School in support of her team.

Team manager and physical education teacher at Greensward, Richard Turner, is overwhelmed with the team’s first result.

He said: “This was our first equestrian event, so I was very very nervous. It was an excellent day and we are so proud of our team.

“We already have 21 names on a list who want to join the team.This has given the pupils who have ridden for years the opportunity to represent the school in their event.”

The team members have access to a shared trainer and prepare for events in their own time.They are simply entered into events and brought together as a team through their school.

Chelsea will take part in the national finals on December 4 and 5 at Addington Manor.