During the Easter break, Team Hurst were represented by 20 riders over two days of competition at Felbridge.
Isabella led the way for Team Hurst with a beautiful double clear on her new horse, Powder Day, to finish sixth in the 80cm. In the 90cm, the team of Ryan, Harry, Harriet and Chloe jumped beautiful rounds to finish on zero faults, to secure second place and qualification for the national finals later in the year. Ryan, on Ruby, put in an excellent performance to claim the individual top spot. Isabella jumped a second double clear to finish in fifteenth place, as Harriet and Chloe also jumped double clears.
The 1m event was a qualifier for the Hurst-sponsored Hickstead Elite Finals in July, and Team Hurst – Ryan, Matilda, Harry and Harriet – did just that. They secured the qualification spot by finishing in second place on just four faults. Ryan again proved he is one to watch this year by blitzing the field with a jump off time of 27.02 seconds. Harry and Olivia were also double clear, as they both finished in the top 20.
The 1.10m was also a qualifier for the Hickstead Elite Finals, as Matilda and Scarlett jumped in the horse section. Despite Scarlett not having time to walk the course, she jumped a beautiful double clear to finish in fifth place. Matilda rolled a couple of polls but still finished in the top 10. In the final class of the day, Harry and Rudi jumped a beautiful double clear to finish second and qualify for the Hickstead Elite Finals.
The Eventer’s Challenge qualifiers took place on day two. Our 70cm team of Bridey, Lars, Tabitha and Tilda jumped their way into fifth place. Special mention to sisters Tabby and Bridey who both rode lovely rounds to finish in the top 20. It was then the turn of the 80cm team with Morten, Gracie and Martha. As a team of three the pressure was on but they all produced top class performances, jumping clear, with Morten finishing seventh, Gracie ninth and Martha tenth. This was enough to secure the win and qualification for the finals at the end of May. Tilda redeemed her sat nav error from the previous class and Harriet just rolled one pole to conclude the 80cm.
The final class was the 90cm, and although it was not to be for the team, Olivia jumped a lovely round on Cuffstown Village Boy to finish ninth. Martha and Kilconly Richie also jumped a beautiful round to set them up for the season ahead.
“ A highly successful two days of competition. It was great to see so many happy faces on horses and ponies. I am immensely proud of them all ” Georgina Black, Equestrian Team Manager