Brentwood’s Equestrians crowned National Champions

Brentwood School’s highly-successful Equestrian Team have been crowned the National Schools Equestrian Association (NSEA) Eventer Challenge 95 National Champions of 2020!

After a Coronavirus-enforced hiatus, the Brentwood riders were delighted to finally be back competing against schools from across the UK in the much-anticipated NSEA Championships at Hickstead, West Sussex.

The event qualifiers had been held back in February and March but the original Championship date was postponed due to the pandemic.

The first day of the Championships saw the team blowing away the cobwebs as they took part in a qualifying 95cm show jumping class for further championships in October. The team all performed polished rounds for 7th placing with clears from Emma Philpot and Charlotte Cooke plus two neat rounds from Sophie Philpot and Ben Hogarth. Charlotte produced the fastest clear of the class for a brilliant win individually.

Team Manager Annette Philpot said: “It was also lovely to see Lily Tappin’s super new horse out in action with Sophie and Charlotte on their second rides, for Brentwood’s second team.

“With the rust rubbed off, on day two the whole team came out ready for the busy day ahead. We were the first team to go in the 95cm Championships arena eventing which had so many entries it was held over two days.

“No team had gone clear during the whole of the previous day’s starters. Brentwood’s team absolutely rode to team trainer’s orders, producing tactical, well-paced rounds over challenging show jump and cross country obstacles, including a water splash. The bar was set high with stylish clear rounds from Emma, Charlotte and Sophie, and a brilliant trail blazing round from Ben. At the end of the class, Brentwood were still the only team on zero! This resulted in us being crowned the NSEA Eventer Challenge 95 National champions of 2020.”

The same team of Charlotte, Emma, Sophie and Ben then went on to contest their second championships, the Elite Hickstead Show Jumping class held over 105/110cm heights. This again was a highly competitive competition and with superb rounds from the whole team, including the only clear from Sophie, Brentwood were left in a very respectable 4th place nationally.

Mrs Philpot added: “I am thrilled with these results which reinforce the commitment and dedication shown by the children, especially in these abnormal times and also to our wonderful parents for their unending support.

“We also thank the NSEA for their amazing organisation in allowing this competition to run in very difficult times. Covid 19 disrupted the original championship’s date and at one time there was a question mark being held over the event even being staged at all.”

Charlotte, Emma, Sophie and Ben were also crowned NSEA Essex County Champions back in March and we wish them the best of luck when they contest the National County Championships in October at Addington Equestrian Centre.