The Pangbourne College Equestrian Team of Amy, Isla, and Izzy was the youngest team to compete in the The Queen’s Challenge Cup Services class at this year’s special Platinum Jubilee Royal Windsor Horse Show. With so many adult competitors, The Queen annually presents a prize to the best under 25 rider. This year, Isla narrowly missed out on the top spot.

The Queen’s Challenge Cup Services class is split into two competitive show-jumping rounds and a parade of the teams in the main arena. The parade is a great spectacle and the Pangbourne College team was among 23 teams and 69 horses this year. Our team looked very smart in their Number 1 uniform and every bit professional and supportive of one another from start to finish. 

In the Cup final, Amy rode the jump off having ridden a confident first round and with many consistent individual wins at that height in the months leading up to the Show. The team was unanimous in support and in front of a full audience in the main arena it made for an exciting round.

Amy rode the quickest time in our section but, sadly, a couple of costly poles meant we weren't able to move up the placings further. The team finished a respectable 5th place which was a fantastic achievement in a competition that is like no other. 

Our riders showed much stamina and resilience in waiting to jump again later on in the day in the National Schools’ Show Jumping competitive class when they were joined by Thomasin. In spite of leaving the yard at 05:00 and not competing until 18:00, they did not lack fire or determination. All four rode good rounds, though one costly pole each meant we were not in the placings this year. 

The team already feel better prepared for next year having now experienced the energy and atmosphere of the Royal Windsor Horse Show.