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NEWS1-12CAROLYNNE17-39COMMENT40-49SPORT50-5655Equestrian team qualify for regional finalsLaura McCreadyLaurence PullanWeek 7 of last term saw the finalqualifier round for the EquestrianChampionship league, with theLancaster girls making the journeydown to Salford to compete for aplace in the regional finals. Followinga turbulent season with lots ofups and downs; including a scarytrip to the hospital and a home victory,the A team was ready to showoff their skills, prepared to beatthe tough competition on the lastround.First off on the day was BethanyCleaver, who had stepped in onshort notice for Gabby Moorat whowas out with an injury. Cleaver,normally on the B team, took to thechallenge very well, riding a tidyand precise dressage round on herallocated horse, Billy. At competitions,riders are each allocated ahorse provided by the host venueon a random basis, being judgedagainst riders from the other teamsriding the same horse.Next up was team captain HannahYaqub, who rode a brilliantround receiving the highest markson her difficult horse, followed byHanna Stostad on Polly only a fewpoints behind. Lancaster’s last riderwas Megan Barrow who put in agreat performance despite the horsebeing very tired after an arduousday. Yaqub was in the lead afterthe dressage round with all fourriders receiving decent scores, puttingLancaster in a good positionbefore the jumping phase. Howeverthe home team, Salford, were alsodoing well, taking advantage ofknowing the horses beforehand.Whilst getting ready for thejumping phase, Salford’s ridingschool realised that one of thehorses could not adequately jumpthe course, which led to a longcold wait in a windy viewing area.Luckily the team team spirits werehigh, in no small part due to theirhelper and chef d’equipe, ConnieO’Donnell, who was on hand toprovide words of support and encouragementto the Lancaster girls.When the time came for jumping,the team were excited to getgoing despite the course beingconsiderably long. In the end, theriders all got on and did admirablerounds, especially captain HannahYaqub who again got the best scoreon her horse.‘Team captainHannah Yaqub rodea brilliant roundreceiving the highestmarks on her difficulthorse’No one had any major difficultiesand enjoyed jumping thecourse, with Barrow looking veryelegant on her tall bay thoroughbred;Cleaver guiding her ponyround neatly; and Yaqub producinga strong effort on an equally stronghorse. Three out of four riders gotclear rounds, an impressive feat,but the rounds are also judged onstyle, keeping the suspense untilthe last moment when the scoresare added up.After a long tense hour, the winnerswere announced with Lancasterin first place. Yaqub’s effortshad got her the best mark and shedeservedly won individually, withBarrow in fifth place. The overallleague scores were added up andthe Lancaster riders were delightedto have qualified for the regionalfinals in Yorkshire.The regionals are this month andthe team riders have been practisingfor the dressage test, gettingready to show off Lancaster in thebest possible way; and hopefullythe extra training and supportedwill help the Lancaster Equestrianteam continue to excel not just atBishop Burton College in April, butfor the rest of the year.ADVERT