BEAMINSTER School impressed when they competed at the Bicton Arena in the NSEA show jumping competition.

The team were placed in classes two and three. Class two was the 80cm section and, as always, is a big class with about 20 teams as well as individual riders.

The course was twisty with lots of long canters between the fences.

Year Seven student Maddie Ware riding ‘What about Smee’ was the first team member to go and rode a faultless clear round for the team.

Next was sixth former Esme Diment riding ‘Lottie’. Diment rode a brilliant clear round on her mare, who is not the easiest, and made it look effortless.

It was then the turn of Year Eight’s Mollie Diment, on her little pocket rocket ‘Choc’. They also went clear in a fast time.

Last to go was Year Nine student Abigail Humphreys riding Tigora, who had a good round but a pole fell giving them four faults.

The team finished on zero faults as only three scores count (the team’s worst score is dropped).

The results were announced and Beaminster scooped third in the team standings overall.

It was then time to course walk for class three, the 90cm.

Again there were lots of teams in the class and the course was not straightforward.

Ware was first to go and started really well, but fell at one of the fences. She was checked over and had hurt her back and all of her team members were very concerned about her.

Diment and Choc then bounced and bucked their way into the arena and were also again rewarded with a brilliant clear round. Last was Humphries and she flew around the course but sadly had two poles down, meaning that the team finished on eight faults — Ware’s elimination for the fall was the dropped score.

The team was unfortunately not placed in class three and, with around 18 teams taking part they finished mid-table, still a very creditable performance.

The team would like to say a very big thank you to Beaminster School’s Parents’ Association for providing the team ties.