Riders’ success in run-up to Roses
Whilst some of us only see horses as a means to a bet, it transpires that some people see a horse for what it really is, a noble creature and man’s best friend.
The University’s riding club has an active membership of around seventy members from beginners to advanced riders with two teams competing in the BUSA league. Beginner and intermediate lessons are held at Naburn Grange on Wednesdays and advanced lessons are staged at the Yorkshire Riding Centre on Tuesday evenings. The club also has regular cross country and polocrosse sessions and are in the process of forming a horseball team, which is essentially rugby on horseback.
The BUSA equestrian leagues have four teams in and the competition involves two component parts; a dressage test and a show jumping round. The dressage section helps to develop a horse’s althletic ability and willingness to perform, helping to realise its potential as a riding horse. Jumper courses are held over a course of jumping obstacles with many turns of direction. This makes it an exciting test for both horse and rider.
This year the B-team narrowly missed out on qualifying for the Shield Final after losing to Bishop Burton. However the A-team won three out of four of their competitions, defeating previous winners York St. John, thus qualifying for the regional finals. Captained by Kat Boyd, a mixed A and B team defeated their rivals to win the regional stage and progress to the national championships. Three days of hard competition resulted in the York team finishing in sixth place, and a surprise fourth place in the show jumping phase. A great confidence boost to take into the all-important roses clash with Lancaster.
So, with both teams performing well in their respective leagues, now is a great time to join this fast-growing society. If you are interested in riding and want to compete against other universities, then this is the club for you.
By Chris Lowther
DEPUTY SPORTS EDITOR
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