N S E A   G r a s s r o o t s   C h a m p i o n s h i p s  

Hurst Prep School’s equestrian team celebrated a triumphant day at the NSEA Grassroots Championships held at Hickstead Showground in August, with pupils delivering outstanding performances and securing multiple qualifications to the national finals.  

The event began with the 40cm class, designed to build confidence in younger and less experienced riders. Hurst was represented by two individual competitors, Hettie MC and Sienna P, who both jumped clear rounds. Hettie impressed the judges with a superb style mark of 34/40, earning her a well-deserved fourth place in the championship.  

In the 50cm championship class, Hurst entered a team and Hettie competed again as an individual. The class was judged on faults and how close riders finished to the optimum time. Sisters Hettie and Florence MC both delivered clear rounds for the team, which narrowly missed out on a placing. However, Hettie’s individual round was exceptional—just 0.22 seconds off the optimum time—securing second place in the unrestricted section and third overall in the championship.  

Meanwhile, in Ring 4, qualification classes were held for the NSEA Championships scheduled for October at Addington Manor in Buckinghamshire. The 70cm team, consisting of Florence MC, Darcey G, and Rosie C, won their class and qualified. Rosie also earned an individual qualification with a fast clear round, finishing second. Later in the day, the 90cm team— Emma G, Henry C, and Lars D—also claimed victory and qualified. Lars narrowly missed individual qualification, placing fifth.