A STAGGERING 17 members of Lamerton Hunt Branch of the Pony Club have qualified for a prestigious national championship event.

Some members have qualified twice with two members having qualified in three different disciplines for the Pony Club National Championships to be held at Cholmondeley Castle, Cheshire, between August 21 and 25.

The qualifications started on July 4 to 5 at St Leonards Equestrian Centre, Launceston, where the Area 15/16 Tetrathlon competition took place.

Despite thunderstorms, three members of the same family secured qualification for the National Tetrathlon Championships. Josh Steven (19), took third place in the intermediate boys’ event, Yasmin Steven (16) took second place in the intermediate girls’ and Lucy Steven (11) took third in the junior girls’. They will be joined by Lizzie Langton who took ninth place in the junior girls’ and qualified.

July 12 saw Lamerton members attending the Pony Club Area 16 One Day Event at Lanhydrock. Despite testing conditions, the Lamerton Hunt team were first in the novice class, displaying spectacular riding ability. The team members also achieved individual placings of Charlotte Barron (17) first, Megan Lawrence (15) second, Tori Sleep (17) third and Yasmin Steven (16) fifth.

Next event was the Area 16 Showjumping Competition, hosted by Western Hunt Branch of the Pony Club, in Camborne, on Sunday, July 26. Lamerton Hunt members thrived once again with Lizzie Langton (13) winning the intermediate class and Charlotte Barron (17) second in the novice class.

And on August 1, 12 members of Lamerton Hunt Branch qualified for the Pony Club Championships in the Area 16 Dressage Competition, at St Leonards Equestrian Centre. In almost perfect conditions, the open team consisting of Holly Kerslake (11), Charlotte Barron (17), Amy Searle (15) and Jess Harrison (16), took first place in the open class.

This was followed by the intermediate team, consisting of Jenny Fleming (14), Issy Jenkin (14), Jordan Pooley (13) and Yasmin Steven (16), who took first place in their class.The novice team of Ellen Lawrence (11), Katie Olliffe (14), Theo Funnell (11) and Lucy Steven (11) finished in second place overall, earning them a well-deserved place at the championships. Freya Jones (12) also qualified as an individual at intermediate level, but is unable to attend the championships due to being on holiday.

Trena Fleming, club treasurer, said: ‘All those involved with this branch are so proud of the achievements of our members and the huge effort they have put in throughout the year. Many thanks go out to all our trainers and instructors, who have spent many hours on cold dark winter evenings, helping members achieve their goals.’