The Junior New Forest Enthusiasts  show jumping team took part in the Area 17 Qualifier run by the Solent Riding Club at Pinkmead Farm Show Ground on 21st June 2009.

Ellie Cooper on Clayhill Fantasia kicked off the competition with an early texted book clear round giving the team a superb start. The others followed with some great rounds and they flew through to a hotly contested jump off with two other teams. The young team held their nerve and following some twisty turns and some gritty riding they came out as credible winners and have qualified for the British Riding Club Championships to be held at Lincoln in September.

The usually laid-back pair of Hannah Smith & Willoway Billie Bunter pushed up into another gear in the jump-off and took 2nd place as an individual and Chloe Kennard on Kilncopse Carmen also produced an excellent jump off round giving her an individual 6th place.

In between the high energy jumping in ring one they all competed in a style competition in the other ring. This time they took the runners up place behind the Isle of Wight with Flora Gibbs and her foot perfect Willoway Pipers Delight winning the competition outright!

Just a few weeks previously Jane Cleal the club treasurer with Farriers Brown Bear came 2nd out of 104 competitors at the Riding Club’s National Cross country championships at Aston Le Walls- Bear once again being one of very few ponies in amongst the horses. This year a new format was introduced where riders completed a tricky show jumping course against the clock before going straight on to the XC phase judged on an optimum time. Jane had a very fast clear SJ and judged the optimum time perfectly - she was beaten by 0.6 of a second!!!

The Dressage riders have also had a good start to the year with a number qualifying for the Dressage to Music Finals at Addington in October : Mandy Pidgely- Longcopse Elton, Teresa Russell – Vicars Hill Jack the Lad, Chloe Kennard- Kilncopse Fly By Night, Elaine Morgan- Wayland Cranberry, Helen Campbell-Farriers Foxglove and Natasha Smith with Wayland Crescendo.

Junior Show Jumping Team left to right Flora Gibbs - Willoway Pipers Delight, Hannah Smith - Willoway Billy Bunter, Chloe Kennard - Kilncopse Carmen and Ellie Coper - Clayhill Fantasia.