EQUINE students on the Extended Diploma Horse Management course at Duchy College Stoke Climsland recently organised and competed in the first of six in-hand showing events, which took place in the college's recently resurfaced indoor school. 

The champion was Ruby, handled by Carly Van Evelingen from Gunnislake, who owns the horse, and her fellow student Holly Jones from Plymouth.

Second year students April Dawe, Nicole Hunter and Kelly Blackmore organised the show.  Event management forms an important part of their studies and they were responsible for everything from promoting the event and coordinating entry forms to ordering rosettes and securing sponsorship.

Duchy College yard manager Clare Hocking said: 'The students have really excelled themselves by working on the yard and competing these horses. The horses were turned out impeccably with many being bathed and plaited by students who had never turned out a horse for a competition before. The teamwork the students have shown preparing these horses so well has made me very proud.'

Head of Duchy College Andrew Counsell said: 'At Duchy College we pride ourselves on giving all our learners a unique and invaluable experience. Special thanks must go to the staff who judged and assisted with the running of this event and the students who organised it.'