28 FEb 2023
Seafords Equestrian Team compete at NSEA Qualifiers
Our Equestrian Team full report.
It’s been a busy and successful few weeks for the Seaford Equestrian Team as they competed in the first of the NSEA Show Jumping Qualifiers for the National Championships in October.
Ahead of the Qualifiers, the students took part in a valuable show jumping training day during half term at Coombelands with Olympic medallist Tina Cook. Lucy Sanders, Equestrian Team Manager at Seaford, said: “We had two groups at 80-90cm and 100-105m and all riders enjoyed the session and learnt a lot through riding different exercises for balance and control before jumping a course at the end.”
Seaford then competed at Felbridge on 16th February in the first of the NSEA Show Jumping Qualifiers for the National Championships. Despite a couple of technical errors in the 90/95cm class, the Seaford team of Oliver Allison, Daisy Andrews, Daisy Dace and Ella Hart pulled together with some great clear rounds to finish in second place and qualify for the Nationals. Daisy Andrews and her lovely pony Whinney rode a particularly fast double clear to come second and qualify individually.
Results: 1st Mayfield, 2nd Seaford, 3rd Cranbrook, 4th Claverham, 5th Bede’s, 6th Cranleigh, 7th Eastbourne, 8th Heathfield.
Seaford had two teams in the 100/105m class and had six superb clear rounds over a tricky course. The Seaford Red team of Lulu James, Daisy Dace, Ella Hart and Oliver Allison won the class with good, fast clear rounds and were the only team to finish with no faults, which qualifies them for the Nationals and the Hickstead Elite.
The Seaford Blue team of Darcey Mayes, Daisy Andrews and Jack Dace came a very creditable third. “Only the top two teams and top four individuals qualify, but there are plenty of chances through the spring and summer to qualify this second team and more individual riders,” said Lucy. “Lulu had a very fast time to come second and qualify individually and Daisy, who swapped onto her brother’s pony for the first time, just missed out by coming fifth.”
Results: 1st Seaford Red, 2nd Cranleigh, 3rd Seaford Blue, 4th Mayfield, 5th Churcher's, 6th Hurst.
The final class of the day was the 110m Individual Qualifier for the Nationals and Hickstead Elite, which is the most advanced level. Lucy said: “Lulu James rode such a cool, fast and accurate round to win the Horse section. Jack Dace had a great battle with former teammate Emma Perrett from Hurst, both riding superb double clear rounds. Jack just pipped Emma to the win by less than a second, which was a fantastic result!”
Congratulations Team Seaford!