Brentwood School’s Claudia scoops top showjumping gong

Brentwood School super showjumper Claudia Moore has capped off a fantastic season by scooping a top award at the annual British Showjumping Awards Ball.

Thirteen-year-old Claudia was presented with the Leading Pony Rider of the Year gong at a glittering ceremony attended by almost 400 guests at the St Johns Hotel, Solihull, last Friday night (2nd October).

Claudia celebrated with fellow nominees and winners who ranged from grass roots competitors through to those that had achieved podium success this year. She was one of five riders shortlisted in her category.

The Third Year pupil was surprised to take the honours and put her success down to consistent performance. She said: “It was an incredible thrill and fabulous to have been chosen amongst such a great and strong group of riders.”

Claudia, who has been riding since she was nine-years-old, is the youngest British rider ever to win a medal at a European Championships. She won both a Team Gold Medal and an Individual Bronze Medal at the Pony European Championships held at Bishop Burton College in East Yorkshire back in August.

The medal haul was the highlight of a busy year, however, she also won the 138cm Pony Grand Prix at the Pony Of The Year Show, the 138cm Pony Grand Prix at Bolesworth International, was the winner of the 148cm Pony Gold League this summer and jumped double clear for Great Britain at the recent Nations Cup Final in Belgium.

The Awards Ball trophy - a glass memento – will now take pride of place at home but the hard work and training continues. Claudia’s immediate aim is to win the 138cm Pony and the Leading Junior Showjumper competitions at this week’ s Horse of the Year Show. Long term, she hopes to be selected to compete at next year’s Pony European Championships in Poland.

Photo shows Claudia receiving her award from Lloyd Innes, of Le Mieux, sponsors of the Pony European Team. Image Credit: Seven Star Photography