Since our last newsletter, we have entered three National School Equestrian Association (NSEA) qualifying competitions. The first, an on-line dressage competition in May, followed by a show jumping with style (JwS) competition at West Wilts Equestrian Centre in early June and a week later a County show-jumping event at Hartpury Equestrian College.

In the dressage qualifier, Millie Caldecott competed in her first competition for the school in a challenging Elementary dressage test and did exceptionally well qualifying for the National Schools Championships in third place. Both Ellie Cooper and Mia Harrison also qualified as individuals in their Novice and Prelim tests respectively. Rachel Turnbull and Ella Cranwell joined Ellie and Mia to form a KLB team, which went on to qualify in second place for the National Championships, just behind a team from Kent College, Pembury. This means our school have qualified two dressage teams for the National Schools Championships at Addington in October.

In Early June, we took nine riders to West Wilts Equestrian Centre in Wiltshire. Harvey Barfoot-Saunt continued his good run of form qualifying for the National Championships placing first in the 70-75cm class, second in the 80-85cm class and fourth in the 90-95cm class. Our 70-75cm team of Ella Cranwell, Winnie Read, Harvey and Maddy Hall-Smith, featured on the right, came a creditible sixth place. Winnie performed really well in this competitive class, placing fourth overall and so qualifying for the National Championships, as an individual.
Another new member of our Equestrian team, Keaton Ball, joined Winnie, Ella and Grace Clarke in our KLB Navy team in the 80-85cm JwS Event, featured in the photo on the left. This team did really well qualifying in second place for the National Championships.

Our KLB Maroon team, Lily Clarke, Harvey, Ella Woolls and Katherine Lay, featured to the right, placed fourth in the 80-85cm class with Katherine gaining an individual sixth place in a very competitive class. We also entered the 90-95cm class, our team achieved fifth place.
A week later, eleven riders travelled to Hartpury Equestrian College for the show-jumping County Qualifier. In the 70cm class Harvey jumped a clear round in a fast time placing him second and so qualifying him for the National Championships. Our 70cm KLB Maroon team comprised of Ella Cranwell riding Thomas, Winnie Read, Tahlia Coombe (another promising new member of school team) and Maddy Hall-Smith, featured on the left.

They did very well in their class collecting third place team rosettes. We then entered two teams into Class 2, 80-85cm. Our Maroon team of Katherine, Lily, Grace and Ellie Cooper did exceptionally well qualifying in second place overall and were crowned Gloucestershire Champions. This meant they not only qualified for the National Championships at Addington but also the County Championships at Hickstead. Our Navy team placed ninth. This class had over seventy-five competitors. Katherine Lay riding Miss Tiger Lily placed third overall as an individual, a fantastic achievement. This qualified her for the National Championships later this year.

In Class 3, 90-95cm, we also managed to field two teams. Our KLB White team, featured on the right, comprised of Harvey, Lily, Grace and Katherine. Harvey riding Diablo placed fourth in the class, qualifying him again for the National Championships. He also was the highest Gloucestershire rider, so crowned County Champion, which also qualified him for the County Championships at Hickstead later this year. Katherine was close behind in the rankings, jumping clear in an impressive fast round. Our KLB Navy team, seen on the left, comprised of Mia Harrison, Ellie Cooper and Keaton Ball. Mia Harrison went clear showing good form and went on to jump in Class 4,1m.
Congratulations to all our students who have represented our school in Equestrian events this year. It is great to see so many of you enjoying the experience and meeting students from across different year groups in a safe manner, obeying current Covid Guidelines. I am especially proud of our wonderful team spirit and encouragement/support shown by all students/parents/carers involved.

We are now looking forward to competing in the NSEA Championships at Hickstead in late August, the NSEA National School Championships at Addington Manor in late October and the NSEA Championship Plate at Keysoe in mid-November.