Schoolgirl riders on their way to major equestrian events

Schoolgirl riders on their way to major equestrian events

14 September 2016

THREE Downpatrick schoolgirls are riding high after being selected for two of the most prestigious national horse shows.

Ellie McDonnell and Lara Kelly, from Down High School, have qualified for the Horse of the Year Show in Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre next month, while their schoolmate Annie Gibson has been selected to compete in the London Olympia Horse Show in December.

Ellie and Lara competed in qualifying rounds in England during the summer holidays and were successful in securing places at the Horse of the Year Show, which is considered one of the most prestigious events in equestrian sport. 

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 performance, even at this elite level. 

Lara said she is relishing the prospect of riding in the magical atmosphere of the Caldene Arena in October.

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 and Glorious Sunrise compete in the show hunter pony 133cm section, and had remarkably already secured a “ticket” for the Horse of the Year Show earlier in the summer when Ellie 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 said she was excited about the prospect of participating in the famous show for the third consecutive year.

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 also in year eight at Down High School, has been selected to compete in the London Olympia Horse Show in December and will be one of only two Northern Ireland riders due to take part in this prestigious event. 

She 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, Ruth Adams, said she was very 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,” she said.

“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.”