Sedbergh crowned national equestrian champions
Sedbergh’s Equestrian Team returned from the National Schools Equestrian Association Championships at Addington Manor in Buckinghamshire as National Champions, following four remarkable days of competition against more than 1,200 horses and riders from schools across the UK.
The team are National Schools 90cm Arena Eventing Champions (Elsie, Sophie, Martha and Izzy) with additional individual National titles — Coco winning the 90cm Arena Eventing for Longridge and Sophie taking the 110cm Pony Arena Eventing title. Our Co-Captain, Elsie, led the team from the front and achieved the Best of the Rest title for the top non-qualified individual score in the country in the 80cm Arena Eventing with a round full of confidence and accuracy.
Entry to the Championships is by qualification only, with teams earning their place through strong performances at regional events earlier in the year. Competing at this level represents the pinnacle of school equestrian sport in Britain, bringing together the most accomplished young riders in the country.
Sedbergh riders achieved outstanding success across multiple disciplines, combining skill, composure, and teamwork throughout the event. The team claimed the National Team title in the 90cm Jumping with Style (JWS), while Coco won the Individual National Championship for Longridge and Sophie was crowned 110cm JWS National Champion. Sedbergh also finished as Reserve National Champions in the 80cm JWS and achieved numerous top-ten placings across show jumping, dressage, and combined training.
Sedbergh took its largest-ever team to the Championships, with 18 riders and 20 horses representing the school from Year 4 through to Year 13. Each rider earned their place through tough qualifiers throughout the year. Sedbergh competed in every discipline — Team Dressage, Arena Eventing, Show Jumping, and Combined Training — demonstrating the breadth and strength of talent within the school. Impressively, Sedbergh featured in the rosettes across all disciplines.
Head of Equestrian, Faye Barker, praised the team’s spirit:
“These results represent years of dedication and training. What stood out most was the camaraderie, fun, and support among riders, family across three generations, and friends. Our riders are truly passionate about this sport and gave their absolute all in the ring for their horses and each other. It was emotional to watch and it truly reflected what Sedbergh stands for.”
Summary of results:
In the 80cm Outdoor Show Jumping, Sedbergh took first place against 38 other teams in a class that ran from early morning until mid-afternoon. The team went on to compete in a thrilling evening jump-off, holding the fastest team score before one unlucky pole dropped them to fourth.
The 80cm Arena Eventing Gold Team narrowly missed out on the National title by just half a point, taking second place in the UK.
In the 90cm Arena Eventing, Sedbergh was the only school to qualify three full teams — an accomplishment in itself. The Navy Team went on to take the National title by a remarkable 20-point margin, delivering masterful performances throughout. The Gold Team finished a strong sixth, while the Winder Team placed ninth after a series of fantastic rounds.
Sedbergh riders continued their success in the 1m and 1.10m Show Jumping Pony Finals, producing stylish, technical rounds and impressing spectators with their confidence, speed, and skill over challenging fences.
Sedbergh’s Dressage Team finished sixth in the UK, with individual riders showing poise and determination in a highly competitive field. In Combined Training, Sedbergh’s team finished as Reserve National Champions, further showcasing the school’s depth of talent and versatility across disciplines.
Sedbergh – 90 JWS Team National Champions
Coco — Individual National Champion for Longridge
Sophie — 110 Pony JWS National Champion
80 JWS Team — Reserve National Champions
80 SJ Team — Winners of the Outside Arena (38 teams!) & 4th in the final
Elsie — “Best of the Rest” title for top non-qualified individual
Martha — 6th (1m) & 4th (110cm) in hugely competitive finals
Eva — 6th (70 JWS)
Sophie — 4th (90 JWS) & 5th (1m JWS)
Elsie — 6th (1m JWS)
Dressage Team — 6th
Combined Training Team — 2nd (Izzy 6th individually)
