We have a strong tradition of sporting excellence at Oswestry School with many pupils gaining regional and national representative honours. One team gaining great momentum at the moment is our Equestrian Team.

Last week they travelled to the infamous All England Jumping Course, Hickstead to compete with their horses at the National Schools Equestrian Association, Eventing National Championships. It was the strongest field that the Championships had ever seen, schools up and down the country had qualified to compete, on what proved to be a sizzling weekend!

With an average of 170 pupils and over 40 school teams competing in each class, the competition was tough, and definitely not for the faint-hearted. The courses presented challenges but our team's hard work in training paid off.

They didn't disappoint with numerous clears inside the optimum time. The team came 9th in the 70cm Eventers class (39 teams competed), and a fabulous 6th in the 80cm class (44 teams competed). Individual credit has to go to Euan, battling to finish in 3rd and 6th as an individual, and to Jasmine, claiming a 7th placing in the 80cm, truly incredible achievements when competing against 170 riders in each class.

The team made the most of their trip, competing in an additional 2 showjumping NSEA National qualifier classes. A strong field of over 45 school teams competed in this section, with 185 riders in each class.

The Oswestry Team rode to success with a team 8th in the 75cm, and team 4th in the 85cm, qualifying for the National Schools Show Jumping Championships in the Autumn at Keysoe.

Congratulations to everyone involved, what a result. We'd also like to thank all of the helpers and parents who worked together to transport the children and horses to Hickstead. Without you, it just wouldn't be possible.