Hurst College National Schools & PC Champs

26th July 2012

The Hurstpierpoint College National Schools and Pony Club Jumping Championships

Introduced in 1964 by Canon Peter Booth, the Hurstpierpoint College National Schools and Pony Club Championships is the highlight of the amateur equestrian calendar, attracting schools and branches of the Pony Club from across the British Isles. Every year hundreds of youngsters flock to Hickstead hoping to qualify to jump on the hallowed turf of the world-famous International Arena. Young equestrians are given the chance to jump in the very ring that they have watched their heroes battle it out in just days before.

The Schools Competition is split into a junior and senior division, and the Pony Club teams have to qualify in advance for the championships through a tough series of qualifiers. Many top international riders, from every discipline, have competed in the Championships including Pippa Funnell and Robert Whitaker. The Duchess of York, as Sarah Ferguson; supermodel Jodie Kidd; and BBC presenter Clare Balding, also had an early experience of showjumping at the Schools Championships.

It is one of the Hickstead team's favourite days of the year, as the broad beaming smiles make the whole season's hard work worth it, and we have fun guessing who might be a Derby winner in the making.