Reaseheath College equine students were riding high after winning a hotly contested inter college team competition.
Katie Gibbins, Lucy Lloyd-Brown, Nieve Dillon, Lucy Lunt-Bell, Emily Hassell and Cerys Calcutt, who are studying for their Level 3 Extended Diploma in Horse Management at the Nantwich college, competed against teams from four other leading land-based colleges.
The students competed at Preliminary and Novice level dressage and took part in an interactive quiz (practical and theory) to take the honours at Coleg Cambria, North Wales. Competing on horses they have not ridden before, the dressage team of four scored an impressive 82% overall while Nieve and Lucy Lunt-Bell won the interactive quiz using the skills and knowledge they have developed during their course.
Course manager James Rayner, who trained and accompanied the students to the event, said:
“This was a fantastic day which gave our students the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, to work with different horses and to network with students from other colleges.
“Although these students are taking the equitation route, some don’t have their own horses so this was a great way for them to gain experience at a professional level competition. They were superb role models for Reaseheath and I received excellent feedback about their appearance, manners, good sportsmanship and their empathy towards the horses. I’d like to thank College Cambria for running the event.”
As well as providing a focus for the students, the competition raised funds for the Welsh Air Ambulance through the donation of entry fees and money raised through a raffle and cake sale. Thanks to its success, there are hopes that regular regional fixtures will be developed between regional and eventually national colleges
Reaseheah’s equestrian students regularly compete at the college’s equestrian centre and also enjoy taking part in study tours and industry visits. They also provide arena parties at national events.
