Tetrathlon at Royal Windsor Horse Show

On Sunday 5th May the Frogmore Arena at Windsor Horse Show was alive with tension as 24 of the best UK Tetrathletes entered the final phase of the Royal Windsor Tetrathlon. A course of show jumps was prepared which included a slip rail and a few tricky rustic working hunter style fences. Some difficult lines were made harder still by the busy arena perimeter, crowded with onlookers, flags and periodic whooping and cheering from other activities in the Castle Arena.

Individuals

Constance King (West Hants PC/Southern Region) produced a smooth and accomplished clear round for 1400 and was a most deserving individual winner on 4566.

Sophie Mulcaster (Cheshire Hunt South/Wales & Borders) held her nerve for another clear round, just four seconds over time but plenty good enough to hold onto 2nd place on 4499.

Grace Arnott (Old Berkeley Hunt North/Central) tipped one rail but held onto 3rd place on 4458.

Teams

In the team competition, the overnight leaders, Southern, clocked up some unlucky ride penalties which pushed them down the order. Northern took advantage and soared to the top of the table, with a winning score of 13,099. Congratulations to team members Katie Cessford (North Northumberland), Charlie Hall (Cumberland Farmers Hunt South) and Annabel Lupton (Bedale & West of Yore).

Runners up in the team competition were South West Region on 12,946. Well done to team members Emily Miller & Toby Ireland (both Polden Hills) and Eleanor Jackson (Silverton).

Third placed team were Wales & Borders on 12,920: Sophie Mulcaster (Cheshire Hunt South), Alice Norman (Radnor & West Hereford) and Jack Jones-Less (Swansea & District).

Out of 24 rounds there were 6 scoring maximum 1400 ride: Constance King, Toby Ireland, Andrew Wishart (Iveagh/Northern Ireland), Katie Cessford, Ailsa King (Eglinton) and Emily Miller.

Warm congratulations to the Northern Ireland team who all rode on borrowed horses, not one of them scoring less than 1340 in the ride. Thank you also to the families who kindly lent their horses to the Irish.

For anyone analysing run scores, the boys would like it to be known that they all ran 30 seconds faster than their recorded times on Pony Club Results. Currently Junior boys have a 30 second run handicap compared to the girls.

Very many thanks to the Tet committee and to Pony Club Chairman Tim Vestey, along with their volunteer helpers, who work so hard every year to make this unique opportunity available to our Junior Tetrathletes. It is a great privilege to be part of this magnificent Horse Show.