Year 6 pupil Zara competed at the NSEA (National Schools Equestrian Association) show jumping competition this weekend for Fyling Hall. She took her ride, Jasper (owned by Gill Halton) to the event at Northallerton Equestrian Centre.
The partnership were proud to wear school colours at the county qualifier competition, show jumping against other school representatives from North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, East Yorkshire & Humberside, County Durham and Northumberland.
216 rounds were completed during the day with individuals and teams representing both local schools including Caedmon College, Scarborough College, Lady Lumley’s, Lealholm and Egton primaries and from further afield including Ampleforth, Queen Mary’s, Barnard Castle, Sedbergh and Malton.
Zara Describes the Show Jumping Competition Experience
“Jasper came to live with me 18 months ago through my pony club teacher, Alison Wilson, when his owner Shay Halton outgrew him. Jasper is experienced and has taught me a lot! While we have represented our Pony Club, Glaisdale before, this was the first time we were riding for Fyling Hall School. Jasper is a lovely and gentle pony. He loves show jumping and gets excited jogging in the warm up ring before we compete. I was really glad to have him as my partner at the NSEA competition as he has done it before and I haven’t. There were riders up to sixth form age on big horses in our classes!
We had entered two classes. In the first, I was drawn late and I knew the competition was really strong. To get anywhere near a placing Jasper and I needed to go clear and take all the risky turns – fast. After walking the course (on foot) with my Dad who helps me, we decided to go for it. Jasper was great and we did all the tight turns, but two fences from the end in the jump off (the timed section of the course) I didn’t get him quite straight resulting in four faults. We finished 26th out of 48 starters and 18th in the Yorkshire section in this class.
In our second class it was a bigger course and some of the oxers (wide fences) felt huge and I didn’t take such risky turns. I was a bit nervous, but really glad to have Jasper who gives me confidence.
He wasn’t nervous at all and got excited when the bell went to start our round. I was really pleased to jump clear in a good time of 48.94 seconds! We finished 12th overall out of 49 starters and 8th in the section for Yorkshire so I was chuffed. I gave Jasper some treats and we took him home. I made sure his bed was really fluffy for him to get a good nights sleep and gave him his tea”.
Congratulations to Zara for this excellent result and for taking part in this regional show jumping competition. Horse-riding has always been part of life at Fyling Hall School and students wishing to take horse-riding lessons can collect a form from the office.