Schools Showjumping at Balmoral May 2017
Banbridge Academy’s Showjumping team beat off stiff competition to qualify for a place to compete in the prestigious Main Arena at the Royal Ulster Agriculture Show at Balmoral Show on Saturday 13th May. The team consisted of Charlotte Eakin, Ella McCallister, Ellie Humphries and Alex Finney. The thirteen teams competing in this event represented schools from all over Ireland.
The Main Arena was divided in two, with a course of ten fences for round one and six fences for round two, which was a jump off course against the clock.
Charlotte Eakin and Vigo.G got the team off to a terrific start with a faultless double clear and a good jump off time of 41.13 seconds. Ella McCallister and Monochrome Girl followed with an unfortunate pole on the ground in the first round and a lovely clear in the jump off in a fast time of 37.71 seconds. Next to go for the team were Ellie Humphries and King Mac. They jumped a terrific double clear in an amazing time of 32.64 seconds.
The team were presented with a trophy for their school and a rug, rosettes and a sash for their horse or pony. They certainly looked extremely smart as they embarked on their lap of honour. This turned out to be quite a spectacle as all fifty-two competitors were allowed to join in the gallop! A fantastic finish to a fabulous team effort and a proud day for Banbridge Academy.