JUMP TO VICTORY! 

Cottesmore have won the National Schools Jumping Championships at The All England Jumping Course, Hickstead in Mid-Sussex.

Cottesmore School’s showjumping team rode to victory on Friday. Darcy (riding Caeroin Mor Lad), Daisy (riding Woodwards Winny), Orla (riding Little Ceasar) and Mia (riding Cocklebury Bucaneer).

“We are jumping for joy at this marvellous news,” said Cottesmore School Headteacher Tom Rogerson, “and we are so proud of the dedication and resilience shown by these four brilliant Cottesmore pupils.”

This historic competition was first run in 1960 and has run every year since, with the exception of the Covid years. As the class “everyone wants to win” the National Schools Jumping Championships at Hickstead is known as the equivalent of competing at Wimbledon or Lord’s.

After a tough first round of jumping in the morning, four teams on zero penalties went through to the ‘Jump Off’. This is a timed round against the clock – so the fastest team with the least penalties won. Four brilliant jumping rounds later and the Cottesmore team were the only team again to finish on zero penalties. 

For the two experienced team members Darcy and Daisy it is a memorable and well-deserved win in their leavers’ year having turned out for the Cottesmore showjumping team on numerous occasions. 

Although Orla had competed in the team last year, she had to master a relatively new ride on the big stage. Orla also took 3rd place in the individual final after a blistering jump off round on Little Ceasar - no mean feat. Mia, the youngest rider in the competition, put in a performance beyond her years, competing against children five years older than her.

“We are so excited and honoured to have won this competition; last night I used the prize - a new Hickstead horse blanket - as a duvet!” said one of the Cottesmore team members. 

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