Westonbirt School Equestrian Team Rides to Success in 2024

Westonbirt’s equestrian team has experienced significant growth and success over the past few years, with 2024 marking a particularly outstanding year. Despite the school not having its own equestrian facilities or providing riding tuition onsite, the team is open to pupils from Year 4 to Year 13. Riders typically have their own horses or ponies and train at home with their trainers or pony clubs. Team training sessions are held at local equestrian centres, and staff members manage the school’s Equestrian Club and competition entries nationwide.

Over the last three years, the team has expanded from a small, successful group of around 12 riders, mostly from the Senior school, to a squad of approximately 30 riders, now including both Senior and Prep schools. This growth has provided more opportunities for students to represent the school in dressage, show jumping, and eventing, competing at county and national championships. Riders compete based on ability rather than age, fostering friendships across different year groups.

In 2024, the team had an exceptional year, participating in 14 National Schools Equestrian Association events, with a total of 86 entries in various showjumping and Eventer’s Challenge events, and multiple entries in dressage competitions. Members competed in classes ranging from 40cm in Grassroots competitions to 1.10m in other events. In May, the school took two teams and several individuals to the NSEA Championships at Hickstead, securing future qualifications for these championships in May and August 2025, and at Addington in October 2025. Throughout the year, members also attended six parent-organized training events, which were greatly enjoyed, and a popular Equestrian Team Tea in September. The team looks forward to an exciting year ahead in 2025.

Jo Baker, one of the Equestrian Team Managers, reflects on the team’s performance in 2024:

“Despite no longer being a parent of a team member, I still get tremendous joy and a sense of pride watching our riders compete for our school, not only when winning, but on their way to learning about their horses and the progression they make together as a partnership.

It always makes me proud to see that there is a great team spirit and camaraderie amongst our riders across the year groups. Horses are a good leveller and can help build great resilience in their riders. Things do not always go to plan, so it always makes me proud to see how pupils support each other, not just on the good days, but also on the difficult days too. A hug from a friend and a chocolate brownie or some cheesy chips shared can make what may seem like a disaster, turn into a lovely day with friends and ponies – it may not be your day today, but there is always tomorrow and we’ve ALL had the bad days!”

With such a strong foundation and a supportive community, the Westonbirt Equestrian Team is set for continued success in the coming years.