[Equihunter] Team Equihunter’s team rider Libby Newman enjoyed yet another successful day of competition, this time gaining a first place at Weston Lawns during the British Showjumping National Pony NAF 2* event.

Libby receiving her prize from Corinne Bracken, British Showjumping Chef d’Equipe & Team Coach to the Junior & Young Rider Teams

The Staffordshire based Weston Lawns Equitation Centre was hosting British Showjumping teams from all over the UK attending the Junior Inter-Academy Team Finals Competition held on 20th & 21st of August.

On the afternoon of the 20th, the packed venue held a round of the NAF British Showjumping Horse and Pony Five Star Performance Awards programme at one and two star levels.

Riders are required to perform a round of Showjumping and then display control skills in a dressage style round, working to a floor plan that includes walk, trot on both reins, canter on both reins and halt. The Showjumping section is judged separately on style.

Libby Newman Riding Kinvara Silver Star jumping in the Pony NAF 2* Competition

Libby was riding her talented Connemara Kinvara Silver Star and was placed first out of a very big class of young riders all keen to take the top slots.

Libby in a dressage style test as part of the competition

The PONY Five Star Performance Awards are designed as a series of progressive standards which provide pony riders with a focus for their training, improved performance in the ring and improved stable management skills.

These awards start from instilling the correct basics and fundamentals through to encouraging young riders progression onto competitive pony riding through to supporting their step onto horses.

The aim of the programme is also to instil stable management knowledge, respect of the rules as well as ethics of sportsmanship and recognition of good performance over results. The awards also provide preparation for riders who wish to compete on Home Pony National teams and FEI International teams.

Inter Academy – Libby Newman jumping for the Sussex Team who gained a Team Bronze

Libby was also part of Team Sussex who gained Team Bronze during the Junior Inter-Academy Team Finals Competition.

Well done to Libby and to all the Sussex British Showjumping Junior Academy team members for a lot of hard work and a truly fantastic two long days of heavy competition.

Team Equihunter
27th August, 2013