Perse rider jumps into national schools finals
Lauren Caley (Lower Sixth) is riding high after booking a place in the NSEA (National Schools Equestrian Association) National Inter-County Show Jumping Championships.
She will represent The Perse in the finals after being the highest ranked Cambridgeshire rider in the Tri-County qualifiers at Swaffham’s Forest Edge Arena.
Lauren, who started riding at the age of five, was thrilled with her display, especially having only begun training with her current pony Comeytrowe Dione – known more affectionately as DeeDee – during the summer.
“I was actually the first to go of any riders from our county, so it was a bit stressful, but sometimes it goes your way and I was really pleased with how it went,” she said.
“DeeDee was my sister’s pony, so she been in our family for some time, but this was only my third competition with her.
“However, we won our first few classes in a row, so we decided to do this competition. We still didn’t think there would be much of a chance of winning this because we were quite new to each other, but she’s 17 years old and knows her job really well, so she’s great to ride.”
Lauren is now looking forward to taking part in the national finals at the renowned All England Jumping Course at Hickstead in May.
She said: “If we keep going as we are then it could go really well, but it’s also about having some luck on the day. We do have a chance, but there will be a lot of good riders.”
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