Pupils qualify for national showjumping championship

THE horse riding team from Rupert House School in Henley did exceptionally well at the National Schools Equestrian Association showjumping competition at Rectory Farm, near Hartpury in Gloucestershire, on Saturday, September 16.

Ten riders aged five to 10 represented the school in the 40cm, 50cm and 60cm classes. Some of the children were competing for the first time.

All the teams were placed in their classes, winning the 60cm and achieving 2nd and 3rd in the 40cm and 3rd and 4th in the 50cm.

As a result, Rupert House has qualified for the NSEA Championships, which will take place in October.

A school spokeswoman said: “This is an incredible achievement for the team and testament to their hard work and dedication to their sport.”

The riders were as follows, clockwise from top left, the squad (left to right), Isla Wrottesley, Ceci Aitken, Elouise Aitken, Aoife-Rose Anness, Molly Swinglehurst, Isla Phillimore and Maia Elshafey; 60cm winners Molly Swinglehurst, Isla Phillimore, Ceci Aitken and Maia Elshafey; 50cm 2nd place team, Molly Swinglehurst, Aoife-Rose Anness, Isla Wrottesley and Elouise Aitken; 40cm 3rd place team, Amelie Phillimore, Claudia Armitage, Sylvia Scudamore and Elouise Aitken