MATRAVERS student, Chloe Little, who has recently joined the school’s equestrian team, had her first outing last month in the Inter Schools Show Jumping competition which was held at the West Wilts Equestrian Centre in Holt.
She was riding the New Forest pony Denny Sweep and it was the first time the pair had competed at this level. Denny jumped a clear round but as the pony is not very experienced, Chloe made the decision not to go to fast in the timed section.
This competition was a qualifier for regionals and as there were 120 riders in the class, her main consideration was to get a clear round and to gain confidence for future events. Fourteen-year-old Chloe said, “I thought this was a really good experience for me and the pony.
“I felt nervous at the start because this was the first time I had done a course at this height, a first for Denny too! He tries harder than any other pony I have ever known. I am very proud of him.”
Sadly, team captain Beth King’s horse Tri Little Lady, whose stable name is also Chloe, was slightly lame the day before the competition and she withdrew her from the event. Beth has represented Matravers School for three years and was disappointed not to be able to compete.
She said, “I was disappointed as Chloe is hardly ever lame. It was just one of those unfortunate things but it’s nice to see some of the younger riders coming through”.
Their next outing will be the One Day Event at Stonar School in September.
