THE Thomas Hardye equestrian team have qualified for the National Championships at Addington Manor in Buckinghamshire, after winning the eventers’ challenge at Millfield School.

The team consisted of Maddie Morris, Chelsea Loveday, Kizzie Russell and Ella Pallister, who are all aged 15 to 16.

Loveday also received an individual third and Russell an individual fourth out of the 66 competitors.

Another keen member of the school team, Jodie Loveday, is competing at Weston Park for the Under-18 eventing team.

Russell said: “The team is extremely pleased with the results as we are competing against private schools who have dedicated facilities and time in their school week to train together for these competitions, whereas we train after school individually at local riding schools. “The events included jumping with style and dressage and we have now qualified in these two events to compete against 415 qualifiers at national level.”

Pallister added: “As a member of the second team I was surprised to qualify, but very pleased. I’m looking forward to the final and hope that the team will do well.

“I feel that we did extremely well considering that we were up again all the private schools that train every day within school, as our school doesn’t have those facilities.

“We all train our own horse in various equine facilities that are available to us, but also on our own facilities. We are all very pleased that we have done so well for the school and hope to do well at the finals.”

The team would like to thank Thomas Hardye School for their support.