THOMAS Hardye School has been crowned the Great Britain NSEA Dressage champions.

The team of four: Katie Hills, 18, riding San Rubiosa, Lucy Buckwell, 16, saddling Glendelough III, Hannah Bowen, 15, riding Milkshake and Rosie Russell, 14, on board Candy Man, claimed the title with a winning margin of seven points ahead of the second place team.

To add to the excitement, Hills won the medium dressage test to be the individual champion for 2014.

The finals were held at the prestigious Addington Manor Equestrian Centre in Milton Keynes, with 550 children competing to represent their schools from all over the country.

Thomas Hardye had qualified for the finals after winning a National School Equestrian Association (NSEA) qualifier at Moreton Eques-trian Centre, where they had achieved first place.

All four dedicate many hours to train, either at home or in a pony club or riding club, to keep their standard of dressage as high as possible.

Team manager Sue Russell said: “We have never had a team win in dressage before I am so proud of the girls for all their commitment to the sport and such high standard of riding they showed.

“Winning a competition of this level is a brilliant result not only for the girls, the sport, but for the school. “The team won rugs for the horses, equestrian soft shell jackets for the riders, medals, sashes and lots of goodies in a KBIS sponsored bag.

“I would like to thank parents and supporters for travelling the long journey to give the girls and the school this special weekend.

“Without the backing and support of the school this would not be possible, so on behalf of the team we would like to say a big thank you to Mike Foley and his great team of teachers for allowing the girls to represent the school in the NSEA competitions.”