Show Jumping

11th February 2012
NI Schools' Show Jumping Championships at Connell Hill Stud and Equestrian Centre

Cullybackey High competed in the Novice Secondary schools section along with 10 other teams. The teams had travelled from Limavady, Belfast alongside the local Ballymena Schools, Ballymena Academy, Cambridge House and Cullybackey.

In the first two rounds, the Cullybackey riders all jumped a double clear over a colourful and technical course finishing with no faults and qualifying for the jump off against the clock.

Only six schools qualified for the jump off, three schools with zero faults and three with four faults.

Cullybackey were very unlucky in the jump off, trying to take short cuts around the course to "beat the clock" they finished with faults to put them into 3rd position.

The team consisted of: Hannah Thompson on Crispin, Jamie Boyd on Bacardi and Stuart Gillespie on Billy Boy.

The overall results:
1. Limavady Grammar,
2. Belfast Royal Academy
3. Cullybackey High
4. Ballymena Academy
5. Cambridge House
6. Cambridge House

19th November 2011
Ulster Schools' Show Jumping League

The Show Jumping team finished up 10th out of 19 in the Ulster Schools’ Show jumping League on Saturday 19th November. The team consisted of Laura Gordon, Jamie Boyd and Stuart Gillespie.

In the individual class Hannah Thompson finished 10th out of 39. The jump off was very tight with only 6 seconds between 1st place and 10th place.

22nd October 2011
Ulster Schools' Show Jumping League, Knockagh Equestrian Centre

Well done to the show jumping team on Saturday. The team consisted of Laura Gordon, Jamie Boyd and Stewart Gillespie; they were placed 7th out of 17 teams in the Ulster Schools' Show Jumping League.

Jamie was first to jump for Cullybackey, he had studied the course and had observed the difficulties which had caused a few problems on the course. He jumped a double clear.

Next to jump was Stewart; he was very focused and kept his pony going very steadily around the course to achieve a double clear.

Last to jump was Laura, her pony had been fighting a few muscular problems and unfortunately she was eliminated in round one but was allowed to complete round two. It was an unlucky day for Laura!

With two clears and needing a third clear to qualify, the boys decided to swap ponies. Stewart decided to ride Jamie's pony, having never ridden the pony before he was putting a lot of pressure upon himself. He was very unlucky to knock one fence down to receive 4 faults.

Cullybackey High qualified to compete in the final against Belfast Royal Academy, Methody, Limavady, Ballymena Academy, Friends, Antrim and two teams from Cambridge House. The two boys rode in the speed round against the clock, to be placed 7th and receive points for the team in the league.

In the afternoon Hannah Thompson jumped in the individual class. This event had 43 competitors and Hannah being one of the younger ones, she had a tough challenge ahead. Her pony Crispin had decided that the course was looking very "spooky" with the witches and pumpkins placed around the jumps. Hannah had to encourage her pony to ignore them and she was unfortunate to be eliminated in round one. The pony settled and jumped well in round two when he realised that the jumps were okay!

This competition was a great experience for the children and thanks again for the parental support!

13th November 2010
Ulster Schools' at Knockagh Equestrian Centre, Greenisland

Two pupils represented the school in the individuals – Kathryn Jackson (Year 9) and Jamie Boyd (Year 10).

Out of a class of forty competitors, Kathryn was unfortunate to have one fence down during her two rounds and did not qualify for the jump off round.

Jamie had never experienced jumping a course before Saturday evening. He was very unfortunate to have one refusal and a fence down. He thoroughly enjoyed his evening out and is looking forward to the next competition on Saturday 27th November.