June - In-house horse spectacular
Horse riding enthusiasts at the Royal Alexandra and Albert School are sowing the seeds of future show-jumping success with their own in-house show-jumping competition. Stable Manager Irini Economou and Year 13 pupil Tarryn Poole organised a series of show-jumping competitions over a 4 week period for the 10 pupils who make up the School’s show-jumping team. Each Wednesday evening, from 4.00-6.30pm, the pupils aged 8 to 16, were timed as they completed a series of jumps in the School’s outdoor riding school.
Each week’s competition was sponsored by local businesses - The Shed in Reigate, Country Pie Limited, Littleton Manor Equestrian Centre and architect Chris Purnell. A prize was awarded to each week’s winner and on the last Wednesday, rosettes were awarded by the Bursar, Diana Bromley and Headmaster, Paul Spencer Ellis. The two pupils who performed best over the four week period were, Dannielle Searle (15) and Samantha Beaney (15) and they each won a 3-day Show Jumping Clinic with top trainer Ernest Dillon.
Tarryn Poole commented “This competition was an enjoyable way for the School’s show-jumpers to get more experience and knowledge of jumping. This is good preparation for when we compete in competitions with other schools. It’s the first time we have had an event like this but I am sure we will have many more in the future.” Tarryn is about to complete her A Levels at the school and one of these is Horse Management. Her next step is to get an apprenticeship, become an instructor and ultimately to have her own yard.
