FOUR young riders from a Harpenden school took the reins at a county showjumping event – the first time they had ever entered it.

Max Swanne, Laura Metcalfe, Millie Dickinson, and Tabi Hutchins, who comprise the St George’s School equestrian team took the Herts county title at the event held in Bury Farm, Bucks, over half term.

They are still celebrating their successful day at the inter-school teams and individual showjumping event, which included county competitions for Beds, Bucks and Herts.

It was the first such competition the team had entered and they recorded three clear rounds out of four and only narrowly missed out on the overall Herts/Beds/Bucks title.

The team was the highest placed Herts team in both the 90cm and 1m classes and was awarded the Hertfordshire Schools Championship.

Millie Dickinson, 13, riding Mighty Mouse, recorded a lightning fast clear round over the 90cm fences to become individual champion from the 80 competing riders from the three counties.

She and Mighty Mouse were also awarded Hertfordshire individual champion.

St George’s acting headmaster, Paddy Storrie, commented: “We were delighted to get a call last year from one of our parents, Mr Petros Spiliopoulos, whose business at ‘The Equestrian’ is coaching riders and training horses.

“No-one on the school staff could have run a team but he has given his time selflessly through the winter with a number of keen riders from our school, of all manner of abilities.”

He added: “Beyond the successful team we had Archie Cameron in Year 7 do brilliantly – and plenty of other riders waiting in the wings for next time.”

Also celebrating at the event was a team of determined riders from St Albans Girls’ School (STAGS).

The STAGS equestrian team was delighted to win the 80cm indoor warm-up class.

Members of the winning team which included Ellen and Demi Bush, Rhiannon Hedge and Shannon Mulhern, were presented with a bronze trophy and rosettes.

Personal success also came to STAGS student Charlotte Turner in the outdoor ring in the 70cm regional points league championship qualifier.

She rode against 35 competitors from 19 schools and won the class outright, making Charlotte the champion rider for Herts.

Chloe Lambert and Libby Hampson also both achieved a clear round in that class.