Perse student hopes to ride high at major horse trials
Marina Mead (Year 11) is jumping at the chance of taking part in the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials this weekend.
She will be part of a four-strong team representing Cambridgeshire Hunt Pony Club in the Pony Club Eventer Challenge at the world-famous equestrian competition in Oxfordshire.
The Eventer Challenge will see riders take on show jumping and cross-country courses with the top three scores for each team counting towards their total.
Marina said: “I’m really looking forward to it. I haven’t been to Blenheim before and it’s going to be an amazing experience.
“It was nice to be picked by my club to represent them at these trials. I’m the youngest member of the team, but it’s good being part of a group and hopefully we can do well.”
Marina, who started riding at the age of five, is relishing the opportunity to participate at Blenheim on board Heathstown Pride – more affectionately known as Rory.
She said: “I got Rory about three years ago and we’ve done lots of competitions together now.
“It takes about a year to build a partnership because all horses are different. I know him well now, so I can tell how he is feeling and how he likes to be ridden.
“I ride most days and the school has been really helpful because I’ve been allowed to have afternoon games sessions off to go and train, which is very useful.”
Published