It WAS a memorable month for an Oswestry equestrian team as they achieved national success at a recent event.

Oswestry School’s senior equestrian team had overwhelming success at the National Schools Equestrian Association (NSEA) Eventer Challenge at Eland Lodge by bringing home a team first in three out of the four class categories.

Sisters Alexa and Jasmine Teague, Shona Flatley, Kimberley Evans, Euan Montgomery, Emily Pritchard and Rosie Jones travelled to Ashbourne, Derbyshire to take part in the challenge which was held over Eland Lodge’s popular arena eventing course.

The NSEA event put the young group up against some of the country’s best-performing showjumpers, providing a great challenge and experience for them all.

This is one continuous course that begins with showjumps and is followed by a variety of working hunter and portable cross-country jumps, along with fixed elements such as a ditch, water splash and steps.

The group’s success saw each of the riders come home with rosettes to mark their efforts.

As a result, the team is now entered to compete in the NSEA Eventers Challenge at Hickstead, the home of showjumping, in May 2020.

There was even more reason to celebrate for Alexa, Jasmine and Rosie who have also qualified as individuals for the event.

Sixth Form pupil Jasmine said the opportunity to participate in such a prestigious competition is something she feels very fortunate to have.

She said: “I recently joined Oswestry School in September for Sixth Form, and although I have competed in Pony Club all my life, since joining Oswestry I’ve had the opportunity to take part in NSEA competitions.

“I have been very lucky to qualify for Hickstead in the spring. The NSEA is fantastic because it allows me to qualify for competitions at venues, I would otherwise never have experienced riding at.

“It’s also great to meet other people from different schools across the country who have the same interests as me.”

The NSEA Eventer’s Challenge will take place between May 23 and May 25.