British Eventing Competition Success

16 May 2018

Cecily Hopkins (Third Form, Queen’s), took part in her first ever affiliated British Eventing competition in Cambridge on Sunday 22 April. She was entered into the BE90 Open, which means that it was a class open to all competitors of a higher level who have perhaps gone beyond 90, so a much tougher field of mainly horses and adults. She rode a personal best in her dressage, scoring just 24 penalties, and was leading after the dressage. She then jumped a lovely clear round in the show jumping, so held onto the lead. The cross country is an optimum time and it was her first at this level, so bigger and more solid, but she rode with determination and courage and went clear being just 1.5 seconds off the optimum time. She won the Open from a field of 40 competitors and also won the Best Newcomer of the day. Apparently everyone was very impressed by this little girl on a little pony and The Horse and Hound magazine also interviewed her to report her story.

Angela Churcher, Equestrian Centre Manager