Cranleigh School riders finish year on a high

At the final school team event of the year, Cranleigh's riders finish on a high placed silver with two riders chosen for county and regional competitions.

Cranleigh School's riding team rounded off what has been an outstanding year by taking a podium spot in the final show jumping event of the year. Always a highlight on the last day of term, the All England Schools Showjumping at Hickstead starts with all teams jumping the first round to secure a spot in the final that takes place in the iconic Hickstead International Arena. Two clear rounds and two riders on four faults in this first round left us on a team a score of four but this was enough to put us in seventh spot and take one of the top ten places in the final.

The final sees all teams go back to zero faults again, and jumping in reverse order of faults from the first round meant that our riders had to go fourth in the draw and wait it out. Recording two clears and one four faults again left us on a total of four faults, and in the end the occasion proved as tricky as the jumps for some and only one team finished on a zero score. This left the Cranleigh riders in silver medal position to end the year on a high. Special mention should go to Sophia Tooth (Cranleigh Prep School) who stepped up to join the Senior School riders at the last minute when one of them had to pull out. She proved what great potential she has for the future alongside Rory Smith, Madeleine Robertson and Tara Moore.

Tara has secured a spot in the South East U18 BE100 team for the British Eventing Youth Championships at Bishop Burton later in July for the second year running. Finishing in fourth spot in the South East league at the end of what has been a very tricky season weather wise meant her selection was not in doubt. Madeleine currently sits in second place in the U18 BE90 league and awaits confirmation that she will be selected for this championship that takes place in September. Anya Metherell has been selected to represent Surrey in the British Show Jumping Academy Championships in August in only her first season on a new horse.

Mrs Chris Allison, Cranleigh's Head of Riding, congratulates the riders on their repeated success this year and wishes Tara and Anya the best of luck for their forthcoming competitions.