Fantastic Equestrian News

In equestrian sport, to compete at the Horse of the Year Show in Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre arena is the pinnacle of anyone’s ambitions. Two pupils, Ellie McDonnell (Year 8) and Lara Kelly (Year 9) have been selected to do just that. Ellie and Lara competed in qualifying rounds in England during the summer holidays and were successful in securing places at this most prestigious of events. Lara won the “Showing Register” Master Class on her pony, Milford Spectacular. The class is led by a top instructor who engages the rider and demonstrates ways to improve their performance, even at this elite level. To ride in the magic atmosphere of the Caldene Arena in October is something that Lara is relishing.

Ellie, who has just started Down High, steered her pony Glorious Sunrise successfully through the last qualifying round for the Horse of the Year Show at an event in the Cotswolds just last week. Ellie competes in the “Show Hunter Pony 133cm” class. Ellie and “Glorious Sunrise” had already secured a “ticket” for the Horse of the Year Show earlier in the summer when she won the “Part Bred” class in the Highland Show. For a pony and rider to receive two invitations to compete at the Horse of the Year Show is extremely rare, and Ellie is excited about the prospect. Even more remarkable is that this will be her third consecutive participation in this famous show.

Annie Gibson, one of Northern Ireland’s most promising show jumpers, is a member of the National Talent Development Squad and competed recently at the Royal Dublin Horse Show. Annie, who is in Year 8, has been selected to compete in the London Olympia Horse Show in December, one of only two Northern Ireland riders due to take part in this prestigious event. Annie will compete in the Pony Club “Mini-Majors” event, where she will team up with the Swedish Olympian show jumper Peder Fredricson on board her pony Tullibard’s Highly Unlikely.  Down High School’s Chef d’equipe, Mrs Adams, is excited about the opportunities opening up for these young riders. “It is absolutely wonderful to see Ellie, Annie and Lara reach such heights at a young age. A strong equestrian tradition is just one of the many things that attract pupils to the school and we are delighted to welcome students with such a record of success. We all wish them well for their forthcoming competitions,” she said.