The Carrickfergus Grammar School Showjumping Team was created two years ago and is proudly taking part in various inter-schools events throughout the year.

Every year, we aim at participating in the annual Inter-School Team Showjumping Competition which takes place in September at the Balmoral Showgrounds. We also enter most of the events of the Ulster Schools Championships which are held from November to March/April at Knockagh Lodge Equestrian Centre.

Our team members – and their families! – are all motivated and enthusiastic.

The criteria for being part of the team depend on pupils’ competences and do not take age into account.
To be part of the team, pupils must:
- be competent riders
- be able to complete a show-jumping course
- possess the skills to jump 85cm-high obstacles
- have their own pony-horse or be able to ride somebody else’s for the events (with the owner’s permission!)
- be able to attend events and have the necessary travelling equipment to bring their horses there – or else share a box with another rider
- have parental permission and have an adult to take them to events!

Last year, we also organised a training session which took place the week before each event. These sessions were led by Mr D. Silverson and took place in Knockagh Lodge Equestrian Centre.
It is desirable for all our team members to train in order to improve their own skills and also achieve their best at events. Pupils should aim at working within their own arrangements as well as taking part in our team training sessions.

Five of our pupils are preparing themselves to compete in the second event of the Ulster Schools’ Showjumping Championship which will take place on Saturday 21st November at Knockagh Equestrian Lodge.

Helen Laird, Nadine McClelland who will be competing on her new horse Jaydee for the first time, Lucy Willis and Victoria Silverson will take part in the Novice Team section whereas Barbara Jones will take part in the Individuals section.

Let’s hope it will be a nice dry day and let’s wish them the best of luck.

For further enquiries or if you wish to join, please contact Mrs Murray.

Above...you have on left hand side picture: from left to right, Lucy Willis on Just Bisto, Nadine McClelland on Days of Thunder and Victoria Silverson on Fenaghy Park at the showjumping competition in Balmoral showgrounds on Saturday 22nd September 2007

and on right hand side picture from left to right: Victoria Silverson on Fenaghy Park, Lucy Willis on Just Bisto and Nadine McClelland on Days of Thunder. (same event)