Riding News
Blundell’s Flies the Flag for Devon and Cornwall at UK NSEA Champs 22nd Oct 2011
On Saturday 22nd October Blundell’s teams travelled to Addington Manor, Buckinghamshire, for the National Schools Equestrian (NSEA) Finals. 
The competition was closely fought all weekend. In the Intermediate Jumping And Style (JAS) the course proved challenging for many, with a combination of show jumps followed immediately by a timed cross-country round. Lola Watt, Saskia Simonson, Lydia Stuart and Alexa Batting did extremely well by securing 10th place. In the Open JAS a team of Alexa Batting, Rupert Batting, India Knott and Saskia Simonson rose to the challenge in an arena which caused endless trouble for some teams, with eight schools failing to get their teams around and only three individual clear rounds in the whole competition. 
The gutsy performance by the team gained them 7th place overall and was well deserved.
In the outdoor arena, the Open Show Jumping attracted very impressive show jumping ponies in particular. With a team of Alexa Batting, Rupert Batting, Maddie Simonson and Amy Clarke we managed to secure 10th place, just missing out on qualification to the Indoor Final. However, in the Intermediate Show Jumping on Sunday 23rd October the same team as in the Open Show Jumping put in a great round to finish on four penalties to qualify for the Indoor Final that evening. The pressure was on, but the need for speed to secure the win resulted in some unfortunate poles down, finishing 6th nationally at the school’s first attempt at NSEA Show jumping finals. In the special advanced class Rupert just missed out on a top placing by one fence, however still achieved 10th place individually. Sarah Harrison, the team trainer was delighted with such consistency of performance at the UK School Championships, with the teams finishing in 10th place or higher in every class.
Blundell’s wins National Eventing Title 24th & 25th Sept 2011
Blundell's enjoyed their best representation yet at the UK Championships, 24th & 25th September, hosted by Stonar School.
On Sunday, it was the Senior Open team of Saskia Simonson, Maddie Simonson, Alexa Batting and Rupert Batting which dominated the weekend. They all produced impressive dressage scores and complemented this with three clear rounds show jumping and four superb cross country rounds inside the time. With all four placed individually, three finishing on their dressage scores, the consistency of performance within the team guaranteed them the title of National Champions in Senior Eventing. The closest Blundell’s have come before to National Eventing success at this level was as runners up in 2009 with three of the current team members. Sarah Harrison, Blundell’s team trainer, was absolutely delighted as Blundell's has never won this title before in 25 years. Of all the schools competitions, the Eventing Championships is considered the most prestigious.
1st Blundell’s 2nd Prior Park 3rd Dean Close 4th Godolphin 5th Hurstpierpoint College 6th Millfield.
On the Saturday, the Junior Novice Team of Lydia Stuart, Didi Eaton & Georgina Wood, produced gutsy performances to secure 5th place out of 24 teams. Lydia produced a phenomenal dressage to secure 3rd place on her Novice pony.
1st Pinewood 2nd Mayfield 3rd Malvern St James 4th Godolphin 5th Blundell’s 6th SW Wilts Grammar.
In the junior Intermediate Section, Lydia Stuart, Lola Watt and Eleanor Ansell, were impressive across all three phases to also secure 5th place as a team, in one of the hardest fought classes of the weekend with 3rd to 5th place separated by less than 1 penalty. Lola finished on her dressage score to gain 3rd place individually, with Eleanor 11th.
1st St Edwards 2nd Cheltenham ladies College 3rd Mayfield 4th Norton Hill 5th Blundell’s 6th St Johns Marlborough.
South West Schools One Day Event 18th Sept 2011
Blundell’s hosted the South West Schools One Day Event, in the most turbulent weather, with the tractor in full flow on pull out duty.
In the Novice class South Dartmoor were outstanding winners with four excellent scores, notably Alice Crocker and Harriet McGovern winning their sections. 
Queens College were worthy 2nd place team, with Blundell's Green team Edward Barlow, Lydia Stewart, Didi Eaton and Bird Wood 3rd place, with Lydia Stuart winning her section.
The Intermediate brought a Blundell’s “one – two” with Blundell's Blue team securing 1st place, Emma Selby, Saskia Simonson, Lydia Stuart, Amy Clarke, and Blundell’s Black comprising Rupert Batting, Sara Wright, Didi Eaton, Eleanor Ansell in 2nd Place, with last year’s winners the Kings School Ottery, 3rd. Eleanor Ansell and Emma Selby both winning their sections to help secure team success.
The Open Class became the local derby, with a 1st Place for Blundell’s Red team comprising Rupert Batting, Charlotte Hare, Eleanor Ansell, Alexa Batting, closely followed by Wellington School in 2nd, with Uffculme School in 3rd. Taggy Forrester Bennett produced a useful win in her section for Wellington. With donations towards Hospicecare Pine Lodge Appeal and Devon Air Ambulance the organisers were delighted with the support from schools across the South West with a good representation from Cornwall.
Images courtesy of Jayphotos: www.jayphotos.co.uk
South West Schools Finals JwS 2nd Oct 2011
Millfield hosted the NSEA Jumping and Style competition - a qualifier for the Indoor National Finals at Addington, Buckinghamshire. As always Millfield provided a challenging track, including a combination of fences that required horses to jump into a pen without knowing if there was room for them to jump out, which caused a number of rider falls as horses decided better of it. 
This resulted in several teams failing to complete, some of which included the hosts. Fortunately, in both classes the Blundell's riders negotiated this fence clear with bold brave riding.
In the Intermediate Class, the team of Alexa Batting, Rupert Batting, Saskia Simonson and Lydia Stuart, together with Hebe Lanyon as an individual, produced gutsy performances over a course requiring tight turns and accurate riding. The team qualified for the NSEA UK Championships later this month. Thomas Hardye were worthy winners, with Blundell's 2nd and Stonar one point behind in 3rd. Rupert was also 6th individual.
In the open class, the Blundell's team of Alexa Batting, Rupert Batting, Saskia Simonson and Hebe Lanyon all jumped around without difficulty and in an intensely fought competition finished on the same score as Stonar but as three teams can't qualify, the style judge had to award final placings and so Blundell's narrowly missed out. A special mention to Hebe, who rode a demanding track on a horse she has never competed before and was pivotal in ensuring team success. 1st Millfield, 2nd Stonar, 3rd Blundell's.
Junior UK Inter-Schools One Day Event Championships 14th & 15th May 2011
Stonar School, once again, were excellent hosts of the prestigious Junior Inter Schools’ 20th Annual Eventing Championships, known to be one of the highlights of the UK Schools Eventing calendar.
Lydia Stuart represented Blundell’s in the 90cm Class, producing an impressive double clear at this standard, but sadly even such perfect show jumping and cross country rounds were not enough to secure a top ten placing at this level.
However, Lola Watt and her pony Bledridge Maximilian competed as an individual for Blundells in the 85cm Class against considerable competition from schools across the UK. A lovely dressage test, followed by clears both show jumping and cross country put Lola 1st in her section. This fabulous win, coming hot on the heels after recovery from a fractured arm, meant she was completely delighted to be able to bring home the honours for Blundell’s.
Schools National Finals, Addington Manor 15th & 16th Jan 2011
Having qualified in May at Bryanston, Lola Watt as an individual and the team of Alexa Batting, Rupert Batting and Emily Mayes represented Blundell's and the South West in the Jumping and Style competition at the Schools Equestrian Finals, which combines show jumping, cross country and style.
Lola Watt, competing at her first NSEA Championship, produced two superb individual clear rounds and wowed the judges with her riding style such that she gained 7th place individually in the Mini Class and in the more challenging Novice Class achieved 3rd place. The team competed in the Open Class over a particularly challenging course and all three attacked it as was needed. They had to compete first, so were the path finders for the benefit of all the other teams to follow. Whilst a team placing was not to be, Alexa came 11th overall in the Open Individual competition.
National finals attract the best in the country; this was a wonderful experience for them all. We were delighted with their performance representing the South West.
NSEA jumping and style qualifier, Millfield School 27th Feb 2011
The team of Lola watt, Emma Selby, Amy Clarke and Emily Wardle met intense competition at the SW qualifier. They put on an impressive performance, managing three clear rounds over a technical track. Whilst their collective jumping penalties positioned them 3rd equal, the time taken overall relegated them to 5th overall out of 14 schools represented. Lola produced the best score of the team and this resulted in individual placings of 4th and 5th in the two classes she entered. Sadly, this wasn't enough for qualification to the championships but an impressive performance nonetheless as the standard was very high, highlighted by the fact that there was only 5 penalties separating 1st placed Stonar from Blundell’s in 5th.
Blundell's Qualifies for the NSEC 6th Feb 2011
Blundell's School has qualified for the National Schools Equestrian Championships for the 6th year in a row, but this is the first time they have done so for the Show Jumping final. The team of Maddie Simonson, Amy Clarke, Alexa Batting, Rupert Batting put on a sterling performance at the South West qualifier hosted by Millfield school, gaining qualification in both the Intermediate and Open Show Jumping classes against strong opposition from over 40 teams. They will represent the South West at the NSEA finals to be held at Addington Manor in the autumn.
This is a first for Blundell’s as we've not qualified a team for show jumping before and we've never qualified for two heights in the same year for the national finals in any discipline.
Intermediate: 1st Heathfield 2nd Blundell’s 3rd Gillingham, 4th Wells Cathedral School, 5th Plymouth College, 6th St Swithun's
Open: 1st & 2nd Millfield, 3rd Blundell’s, 4th Stonar, 5th Thomas Hardye 6th Millfield.
Cattistock Pony Club and Bruton School's One Day Event 19th Sept 2010
Blundell's had further equine success at the Cattistock Pony Club and Bruton School's One Day Event held at Aldon on Sunday 19th September, when Lola Watt and her pony Bledridge Maximillian, competing as an individual on behalf of Blundell's, won their Section. A lovely dressage test, proving the best in the arena, gave Lola an early lead and subsequent clear rounds cross country and show jumping meant that no-one could catch them.
Junior Inter schools One Day Event UK Championships May 2010
Lola Watt and Saskia Simonson represented Blundell's at the Junior Eventing Championships held at Stonar School. Both put on a very good performance in all three phases of dressage, show jumping and cross country. Lola just missed out on the placings, but an impressive dressage score, supported by a double clear resulted in Saskia coming 3rd individually in her section. This is a very impressive result at National Level.
National Schools South of England Qualifier Bryanston, 8th & 9th May 2010
School House set the scene for a very productive weekend. On Saturday, Lola Watt, on her pony Max, produced two impressive clear rounds sweeping the board, by qualifying in 2nd place in the Mini Section & 1st place in the Novice Section, resulting in a double qualification for the National Schools Finals. On Sunday, Lydia Stuart, having already qualified for the Championships at Mini level, was competing in the bigger Intermediate Section and whilst didn't qualify this time, produced a beautiful clear round over a demanding track. Such impressive performances by our younger competitors, Lola & Lydia, certainly showed the older Blundellians how it was done! The Open Team of Alexa Batting, Rupert Batting & Emily Mayes were under greater pressure to qualify as a result. The track for the Open was big and this was made more difficult by deep going. However, the 3 member team, put on sterling performances to clinch 2nd place and therefore qualification to the National Finals. Alexa also gained individual qualification coming 2nd, with Rupert coming 6th individually. This is the fifth consecutive year Blundell's has been represented at the National finals, but it will be the first time we have qualified at the most difficult Open Level and certainly the most qualifications to date in one year.
Open Team results: 1st Godolphin; 2nd Blundell's; 3rd Millfield.
Mini Eventers' Challenge South West Qualifier 28th February 2010
Lydia Stuart was the only Blundell's representative at the Jumping with Style South West qualifier hosted by Millfield School recently. The extra responsibility of flying the Blundell's Flag spurred her on to a fantastic victory with a faultless clear round and the highest style marks of the competition. Such an impressive win means that Lydia has now qualified for the National Schools Equestrian Association Finals later in the year. Many congratulations.
South West Schools Show Jumping 15th November 2009
At the South West Schools Show Jumping we had the best performance ever in terms of consistency, with both teams finishing with zero penalties over two rounds. Indeed Blundell's was the only school to do so out of over 25 represented there. The overall winners were then decided on time taken to complete the second round and this meant both teams missed the coveted 1st place by just a few seconds.
The team of Jenny Boylett, Lydia Stuart, Alexa Batting & Rupert Batting were third in their class, with the team of Amy Clarke, Maddie Simonson, Alexa Batting & Rupert Batting completing as South West Runners-up in 2nd. A special mention to Jenny and Lydia who performed brilliantly at their debut in the Blundell's Equestrian team. Mrs Batting was delighted with their performance. They competed with professionalism and flair and are a credit to their school.
South West JAS Qualifier – Eventer’s Challenge 11th October 2009
| South West JAS Qualifier | |
| Pos. | School |
| 1st | Blundell’s |
| 2nd | Millfield |
| 3rd | Millfield |
| 4th | Stonar |
| 5th | Wells Cathedral |
| 6th | Millfield |
Jumping with style is gaining in popularity, as was seen when over 20 schools competed at Millfield for a chance to represent the South West at the National Schools finals in November. JAS provides a challenging course of both showjumps and xc fences, with marks awarded for time and style as well as the usual jumping penalties. Danny Anholt, Director of Riding at Millfield, had provided a technical course of 20 fences, including, bounces, skinnies & corners, with several ridden from off-set angles, which certainly proved challenging for the teams competing as only 2 teams out of 20 got all 4 competitors around. However, the Blundell's team of Alexa Batting, Rupert Batting, Maddie Simonson & Saskia Simonson continued their recent run of success in eventing with a convincing win at Intermediate level, in spite of impressive competition from several schools known for their equestrian talent. Rupert also won best individual with a clear round and no time penalties, combined with a 95% score for style. The team now go on to compete in the UK National Schools Championships to be held at Keysoe, Bedfordshire in November.
Stonar: Blundell's enjoy continued success at Eventing
| Class 1 - BE90 equiv. | Class 3 - BE100 equiv. | |||
| Pos. | School | Pos. | School | |
| 1st | Stonar | 1st | Dean Close | |
| 2nd | St Leonard's Mayfield | 2nd | Blundell's | |
| 3rd | Wells Cathedral School | 3rd | Cranleigh | |
| 4th | St Mary's Calne | 4th | Tavistock College | |
| 5th | Blundell's | 5th | Wells Cathedral School | |
| 6th | Downe House | 6th | The Kingsley School | |
Hot on the heels of winning the South West Schools Eventing held at Cuckoo's Nest, Tiverton, the team went on to secure 
National Runners-up at the prestigious UK Schools Eventing Championships, hosted by Stonar School. Rupert Batting, winner at the SW ODE, was 2nd individually, having won in 2008 "it was a huge disappointment not to retain the National title this year, especially as I lost the lead due to going too fast XC, but Tim is a wonderful horse and couldn't have gone better for me. I was enjoying the XC too much and should have applied a few more brakes!" A consistent performance by the team of Alexa Batting, Rupert Batting, Freddie Evans & Maddie Simonson, guaranteed them 2nd place in a hard fought Intermediate section, behind the overall winners Dean Close, but ahead of Cranleigh.
The BE90 team of Rupert Batting, Amy Clarke, Hattie Middleton Frith & Saskia Simonson also flew the flag for Devon, boosted by their 2nd place at the Blundell's SW Schools ODE, they too took on the challenges provided by Stonar and finished a creditable 5th place team Nationally, with Saskia 6th individual at her first attempt at the Schools Championships.
South West Schools One Day Event 13th September 2009
The 8th running of the South West Schools One Day Event took place at Cuckoo’s Nest bathed in beautiful sunshine in contrast to last year when the event had to be cancelled owing to torrential rain. 
25 schools from all over the South West were represented, resulting in a top class competition. The Novice class which consisted of 19 teams was won by The Kings School, Blundell’s were 2nd and The Maynard School were 3rd. The Blundell’s team was Saskia Simonson, Luke Ansell, Hattie Middleton- Frith and Rupert Batting. 
This was a hotly contested competition where less than 4 marks separated the top three teams. Rupert and Saskia were 2nd in their section and Hattie was 6th=.
The Open class was out of 8 teams and the Blundell’s team of Rupert Batting, Lottie Simonson, Maddie Simonson and Alexa Batting were 1st winning the Dixon Cup for the 3rd time, last achieved in 2005. They beat Millfield Black team into 2nd place by over 50 points and Plymouth College was 3rd. The Open competition proved difficult, with these being the only teams to complete all three disciplines of the event. Rupert was 1st in his section, Alexa was 2nd and received the rosette for Best Dressage and Maddie and Lottie were both 5th. The organisers are very grateful to both the competitors and sponsors for their support. Donations from the event will be made to the Sariputhra School, Sri Lanka and Devon Air Ambulance.
Junior Inter-Schools Eventing Championships Stonar School, 17th May 2009
Congratulations to the team of Maddie Simonson, Amy Clarke, Charlotte Hare and Rupert Batting, who put on a strong performance at the Junior Eventing Championships held at Stonar school. With nearly 50 schools represented, competition was at the highest level for this age group. Sound dressage performances by all put them in contention. The show jumping proved tricky and did cost a few of them some annoying penalties; however, impressive cross-country rounds from Maddie (8th individual), Rupert (12th Individual) & Amy (14th individual) strengthened their position greatly, with the team finishing 7th overall at National level.
NSEA South West Qualifier Millfield school, 1st February 2009
Alexa Batting, Emma Tyrer, Catherine Ayres and Emily Wardle competed in the Intermediate over a demanding course of both show jumps and XC fences, which eliminated many teams. Whilst the team was not placed, Alexa led the way with a well executed clear round gaining 7th place overall. Emma Tyrer put on a courageous performance, but was not placed.
In the Open event the course was imposing. Millfield on home ground, swept the board with 1st and 2nd placed teams and 1st, 2nd, 3rd placed individuals. Nevertheless, Blundell's performed well. Emmie Birchmore rode as an individual, with the team of Rupert Batting, Emma Selby, Emily Mayes and Sophie Birchmore having to ride bravely, committing fully to a large, technical track none had experienced before.
| Pos. | School |
| 1st | Millfield |
| 2nd | Millfield |
| 3rd | Stonar |
| 4th | Thomas Hardye |
| 5th | Blundell's |
| 6th | SW Wilts |
Rupert was the only one to finish on a clear round, gaining him 6th placed individually, and with good supporting performances from the rest of the team, they secured 5th place overall. Mrs Batting was delighted with this result as it is Blundell's first attempt at Open level.
National Schools Equestrian Association JAS 30th November 2008
Intermediate Champions 2008: Blundell’s School
On the weekend of 29th and 30th of November 2008 the Blundell’s equestrian team of Alexa Batting, Rupert Batting, Emily Wardle and Emma Selby travelled to Keysoe, Bedfordshire, to compete at the National Schools Equestrian Association Championships. To begin with there was a 3ft warm up class consisting of just show jumps. In this, all the team rode well, with Emma, Emily & Rupert producing clear rounds. Our times weren’t fast enough to be in the prizes, but Rupert came 10th and Emma 12th overall.
In the main indoor arena, the championship competition was based on jumping faults, time over the cross country section and style of riding. It was an ‘up to height’ technical course of show jumping and cross country. There were narrow fences (just wide enough for a horse) situated off tight turns, filled in bounce fences, parallel oxers and of course all this technicality forced errors for many competitors. Throughout the competition many teams were eliminated, with only 6 out of 17 teams completing the competition. The Blundell’s team finished on 12 jumping faults with time and style penalties to add. This consistent team performance cemented our victory at National Level. The final scores demonstrated that we had won convincingly, with a 11 penalties lead over the 2nd placed team.
| Pos. | School | Pen. |
| 1st | Blundell's | 65 |
| 2nd | Farlington | 76 |
| 3rd | Kings of Wessex | 95 |
| 4th | Godolphin | 99 |
| 5th | Kent College | 106 |
| 6th | Cranleigh | 111 |
| Pos. = Position; Pen. = Penalties | ||
In the prize giving ceremony, we were awarded rosettes, medals, rugs for our horses and also the prize for best turned out team. Emma also came 2nd individually and so qualified for the individual Championships joining Rupert who had already qualified at Millfield. The team results can be seen in the table to the right.
In the Individual Championship competition that followed, Rupert and Emma had to tackle another challenging course which tested accuracy, balance and speed for both horse and rider. Both Rupert and Emma produced good rounds, with Emma gaining a superb clear. Rupert pushed for a faster round than in the team event but it cost him dear as he tipped a pole off a tight turn. Emma secured the much deserved impressive 3rd place overall, with Rupert in 10th place.
We would like to thank all those involved in preparing us for this event; our brilliant Team Trainer Sarah Harrison, who is always very quick to put us right, but fortunately quicker to praise, Mrs Batting for organising it all, the Blundell’s ODE committee for funding the entry fees, but most of all, our parents for supporting us and getting us there so we could do the rest!
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South West Dressage Competition 12th October 2008
A wonderful day of competition for the two Blundell's teams at the South West Dressage competition hosted at, and by, Millfield School. The event attracted large entries, with over 20 schools represented.
In the challenging Novice 27 Class, the team of Maddie Simonson, Lottie Simonson and Charlotte Hare gained a creditable 3rd place, behind Millfield in 1st and 2nd.
In the Preliminary Class, attracting a large entry, the team of Emma Selby, Emily Mayes and Emily Wardle achieved 2nd place overall, behind Leweston, with individual success as well.
This is the first time Blundell's has enjoyed such success at this competition. Contratulations to them all and many thanks to the parents for their continued commitment to equestrian events.
Inter-Schools One Day Event Championships at Stonar School, Wiltshire, Sat 27th Sept 2008
Sophie Birchmore, Emily Mayes, Rupert Batting and Emma Selby put on a true team performance at Championship Intermediate level, with all 4 completing the challenging three phases of the One Day Event without difficulty.
Impressive Dressage performances from Rupert and Emma in particular set the scene. This was followed by 3 clear rounds showjumping over a track that caused difficulty for many. The most challenging phase was the cross-country with all 4 team members going clear; wonderful to see and a testament to their riding skills.
| Intermediate Team results | |
| 1st | Cheltenham |
| 2nd | Cranleigh |
| 3rd | Stonar |
| 4th | Haberdashers' |
| 5th | Blundell's |
| 6th | St Mary's Shaftesbury |
Rupert and Emma finished on their dressage score with no penalties to add. This is unusual at such a high level of competition, and as a result Rupert won individually, the first Blundellian to do so, and Emma finished 11th.
A consistent performance by the team as a whole secured a creditable 5th place out of 21 teams that started. Blundell's flew the flag for the Westcountry, securing the highest position of schools in the region, relegating both the Millfield teams. It was a very proud moment. They competed against the best schools in the country with Rupert, the youngest member of the team, leading the way by winning his section. They took Stonar by storm!
The Blundell's team would like to thank their team instructor, Sarah Harrison for all her guidance and commitment.
National Schools Equestrian Association JAS Qualifier at Gillingham School, Dorset, 22nd June 2008
The Blundell’s team of Alexa Batting, Freddie Evans, Emma Selby & Emily Wardle put on an impressive performance at the hotly contested Southern NSEA Qualifier run by Gillingham School. They were judged over both show jumps and cross-country fences, with penalties being awarded for knock-downs, speed and style.
In the main competition Emma Selby led the way, gaining an impressive 4th place individually. Alexa also gained 6th place individually in the warm-up class, competing whilst injured, as her horse had fallen onto her only a few days previously.
The hosts Gillingham School won the team competition, nearby school St Mary’s Shaftesbury took 2nd, with Blundell’s only 1 penalty point behind in 3rd, ahead of Prior Park in 4th, Chilton 5th, Millfield 6th, with the Bryanston team failing to complete the course. This now means the Blundell’s team have qualified for the UK NSEA Championships in November at Keysoe, Bedfordshire, along with Rupert Batting who qualified earlier in the year as an individual.