Congratulations to Ete M and Caia N who were part of a three-man team who won a National title at the NSEA Eventers Challenge Championships during the first weekend of the half term. Caia also posted excellent individual results, finishing 4th and 7th out of 198 riders.
Over 700 riders from 232 schools around the country converged on Hickstead Show Ground for the National Schools Equestrian Association Eventers Challenge Championship and National County Dressage and Show Jumping Championships.
Taking place over three full days of competition, the Saturday belonged to Cranleigh riders who stood on the top of the podium in all three Championship classes of the day.
Our Junior Eventers Challenge team was reduced to just a team of three so we knew that the scores of all three riders would have to count, and that only clear rounds over the course combining show jumps, fixed cross country fences and a large water feature would be enough for a top eight finish. Just going clear is not enough either. Riders have to judge their pace to be as close to the optimum time as possible and all three of ours did just that, with Caia N finishing 0.31 seconds off the optimum time in her team round. Ete M was only slightly slower and Sophie B a touch too quick, but still within four seconds of time. They went into the lead at 10.45 in the morning but had to wait until all 38 teams had finished several hours later before being able to celebrate their first National title.
In addition, Caia clinched fourth and seventh place individually out of 198 riders, which was a phenomenal achievement at her first Championship event.
