CFS Equestrian Team Makes School History
CFS Equestrian Team Makes School History
Last weekend, the CFS Equestrian Team travelled to Addington Equestrian Centre to compete at the NSEA National Championships—an event renowned for its high level of competition and technical challenge.
With the departure of our Year 11 riders, our team has become smaller this season, reducing the strategic advantage of selecting the fastest rounds. However, this did not deter our riders. Over the summer, they have worked tirelessly on developing their tactical riding and strengthening their relationships with their horses—and it showed.
Across two days, the team completed a total of 99 jumps—three rounds per rider. Incredibly, not a single pole fell, resulting in three double clears. This is an extraordinary achievement, especially at national level, on a highly competitive 85cm course featuring sizeable fences and technical turns.
Taking to the course in order were:
- Olive P with Geno
- Elouise St with Amour
- Bea C with NikNak
Each rider demonstrated outstanding style, control, and bravery. Knowing their horses inside and out, they tackled every element with precision and finesse. All three took bold lines, executed clever turns, and rode for speed—delivering not only clear rounds, but competitive times.
To highlight the level of competition: our riders were in the same class as Millie Whittaker, daughter of Robert Whittaker and granddaughter of Olympic and European Champion John Whittaker. That’s the calibre we were up against. Last year, only two teams at Nationals achieved triple clears. This year, 12 out of 38 school teams managed it—and we were one of them. Many other teams had four or more riders, allowing them to select only their best three scores. Despite having no such luxury, our girls held their own. If we’d competed last year with these results, we would have placed second.
Unfortunately, we narrowly missed a spot in the jump-off—by just nine seconds on combined time. Still, finishing 10th out of 36 elite school teams is a phenomenal result, and marks a historic first for CFS: three double clears at Nationals.
A special mention also goes to Lottie B, who qualified for Nationals and returned to ride for CFS, even though she has now moved on to college. Lottie faced a particularly tough course and took a couple of poles, but her contribution to the team over the years has been immense.
For a long time, Lottie was my only rider, and she’s been instrumental in growing our squad into what it is today. It’s difficult to express how much she—and her mum, Mrs Best—have meant to the CFS Equestrian community. Mrs Best has been a rock of support, providing invaluable knowledge of NSEA rules and logistics, and helping other families navigate the world of school competitions.
We’ll miss them both greatly—not only for their practical support, but because Lottie is a truly exceptional talent. I wouldn’t be surprised if one day we see her riding for Team GB—so remember the name!
Here’s to another year of NSEA competition and to growing our amazing team.
To all our riders, their families, and of course, their incredible horses—thank you for representing our school with such determination, grace, and sportsmanship. You’ve made me, and all of CFS, incredibly proud.
