STUDENTS from Bishop Burton College had a successful outing to the finals of the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) equestrian competition.

The two teams - Bishop Burton was the only college or university to qualify for both leagues of the prestigious competition - travelled down to Hartpury College in Gloucestershire for the fiercely-contested final.

The series is unique in equestrianism as all riders must compete on borrowed horses; removing any barriers for students who don’t own their own. Competitors take part in both dressage and show jumping rounds with the combined scores making up the overall result.

The Beverley college’s Trophy Team, made up of Hannah Williams, from North Wales (3rd year studying BSc Equine Studies), German student Hannah Krieg (2nd year BSc Equine Studies), Emma Brodie, from Northumberland (3rd year BSc Equine Studies) and Katherine Stephens, from Bedfordshire (1st year BSc Equine Therapy & Rehabilitation) was 6th overall. As a team they were second in the showjumping element. Katherine Stephens was 4th individually overall and Hannah Williams was 3rd individually in the Show Jumping.

The second team, known as the Championship Team, consisted of Susi Lonergan, from County Waterford, Ireland (3rd year BSc Equine Sports Coaching), Lincolnshire’s Ruth Holroyd (2nd year BSc Equine Sports Coaching), Charlotte Whittle, from Tadcaster (3rd year BSc Equine Sport Performance) and Otley’s Izzie Scott (3rd year BSc Equine Studies). They were the 1st placed team in the dressage, third placed team in the showjumping and second overall.

Hannah Ward, of Bishop Burton College, said: “Getting to - and then doing so well in - the national final was a tremendous experience for the students.

“The whole process of qualifying, through regional and then national level, was one that will stand them all in very good stead for their future equestrian careers.

“Monica Zetterqvist Sheppard trained the teams prior to going on maternity leave in January this year. Cheryl Hawley has trained them since with support from me in the run up to the finals and they’ve all benefited from monthly coaching with the Bishop Burton-sponsored four star event rider Ginnie Turnbull.”