Six pupils from St Mary’s Catholic School, Croydon, were given a behind-the-scenes tour and showjumping masterclass at the All England Jumping Course at Hickstead, West Sussex, on Monday (19 July).
The visit was part of the Sky Sports Living for Sport scheme — a free initiative available to secondary schools in the UK, which uses sport to motivate and inspire 11- to 16-year-olds to reach their full potential.
Showjumpers Lucy Bunn and David Simpson (pictured top right) talked the students through an example competition round from the Derby meeting held at the end of last month.
The students also walked the famous Hickstead Derby course to see for themselves what it is like to stand at the top of the 10ft 6in, Derby Bank and had a riding lesson in the grounds, with instructors from Albourne Equestrian Centre.
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
Teacher Emmanuel Ajkou said: “Today has been fantastic for the pupils. Horse riding isn’t an activity they get a lot of access to so to be given the chance to learn a little more about showjumping at such a prestigious venue is a real privilege.”
Photos by Julian Portch
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A self-confessed newshound, farmer’s daughter and journalist of many years' experience, Charlotte worked on regional papers before joining H&H in 2007. A regular rider, she visited Ireland in 2010 to investigate the fate of Irish horses through the recession, to much acclaim, and reported from the FEI General Assembly in Rio de Janeiro in 2011. She left Horse & Hound in March 2013.
