BRENTWOOD'S Equestrian team took top honours in the National Schools County Dressage Show Jumping Championships held at Bury Farm Equestrian Centre, Buckinghamshire, this weekend.

The School’s faultless riders were crowned the National Schools County Show Jumping Champions in the 70cm class and the higher 80cm class while Brentwood Preparatory School Year Five pupil, Ellie Burrell, completed a Brentwood hat-trick when she took the National Schools 70cm Equestrian Individual title for herself.

The Schools’ young riders went into the competition as the Essex National Schools County Show Jumping Champions having picked up the accolade in both the 70cm and 80cm categories at the Wix Equestrian Centre event in February.

As a result the team headed off to the National Schools Equestrian Association (NSEA) County final on Sunday with high hopes. Nine-year-old Ellie, 13-year-old Ben Hogarth, Emma Philpot, also 13, and Prep Year Four pupil Tia Squibb gave Brentwood a strong start in the 70cm class by finishing faultless in the first round.

The very exciting second round was held against the clock. Fast clears put Brentwood into the lead which they held as the final team jumped. A roar went up from the Brentwood support group as they were announced National Schools County Show Jumping Champions in the 70cm class!

Ellie rode her second pony as an individual to secure the class as an Individual entry.

The team of Ellie, Emma, Tia and 14-year-old Thomas Philpot, then went on to contest the higher 80cm class. Again Brentwood finished the first round with all riders jumping faultless rounds, to go into the second round determined to ride fast clears. Everyone rode beautifully with fast rounds to finish on a clean sheet…. but there were still another 18 teams to go.

The cheer which went up as Brentwood were announced National Schools County Champions again was deafening! A huge well done to all the riders and to Team Trainer Annette Philpot and Team Manager, Chris Rees, who were both thrilled with the results.

Mrs Philpot said: “Congratulations to the whole team. All our riders have worked extremely hard to achieve these fantastic results and everyone is so happy for them. Our riders demonstrated excellent riding skills and rode their rounds exceptionally well against a huge field of competing counties.”