Famous jockeys congratulate Longridge pupils

TWO Grand National winning jockeys came to Longridge this week to congratulate and inspire our new generation of young talents.

The Longridge Towers Schools equestrian team won the National Schools Equestrian Association Finals in Buckinghamshire, competing in showjumping, dressage and arena eventing, and beating close to 200 schools to win the latter in their category of ponies. One of the Longridge team, 12-year-old Millie Herdman, also won two individual showjumping titles.

Champion jockeys Tony Dobbin (left) and Ryan Mania (right) join Longridge Headmaster Jonathan Lee to congratulate Nancy and her horse Mickey, Millie and Hazy, Georgie and Pandora, and Georgia and Harri Potter, while Madeleine looks after the shield. Pictures by Annie Mania.

The team brought their ponies to Longridge this week to present the shield to Longridge Headmaster Jonathan Lee, and most were surprised to discover two of the UK’s most famous jockeys awaiting them.

Tony Dobbin won the Grand National in 1997 on Lord Gyllene, and also the Welsh and Irish Nationals as well as the Hennessey Gold Cup among 1200 career victories. Now 53, he is retired from racing but lives in Northumberland and his appearance came as little surprise as his daughter is one of the Longridge team.

Winning the Grand National was a dream come true

He said: “Obviously, I know a bit about the team because my daughter is involved but I think it’s great the support they are getting from the school, and the fact that the school sees the value of the equestrian competition.

“I never sat on a pony until I was 11 or 12, and none of my family were really into racing, though my father was a huntsman. So, to win the Grand National was a dream come true, and these girls are experiencing a taste of what success feels like now. But they have become a really good team, they work hard for each other – they’re not just put on the horse by their mums, they take responsibility for looking after them, which is great.”

He was joined by friend and fellow jockey Ryan Mania from Galashiels, who won the Grand National in 2013 on Aurora’s Encore. He is still racing at 36, and is based in Eccles near Kelso with his young family.

“It’s fantastic to see how well they’re doing,” said Ryan. “I never rode when I was at school, but it’s so good for youngsters to learn how to work with horses, to develop responsibility, and just to have the enjoyment of competing in, and winning, top national competitions.

“It’s brilliant to see the smiles on their faces and to see them achieving something at this early stage in their life is great, and it only sets them up for the future. I was delighted to come along and meet the children, and help them celebrate their success.”

Great reputation at Longridge

Mo Herdman (pictured with team above) is one of the parent volunteers who organises and coaches the team, and they also have support from Gillian McFadyen and equestrian experts across the Borders and Northumberland. Mo was delighted with their performance.

“It was wonderful to see them do so well but it’s about much more than just the competition,” she said. “The girls grow and learn through being part of a team, through the early starts at half five or six in the morning, the early walking of the courses, cleaning the horses and getting them ready, the travel which in this case was about seven hours to Buckinghamshire, and all the camaraderie that they develop along the way. Winning is second to that really.

“In terms of this competition, they had to go through qualification events through the year all over the country, to make it to the national finals, and so just to get there was quite incredible. But to then go there among 1,000 or so ponies and riders, and win was very special.

“We have a great reputation at Longridge and have had a successful winning team before, and some individual successes, but I think this is the best result so far in terms of team and individual, and with riders at such a young age.”

‘It makes you feel a bit better and happier’

Millie (pictured left) told us she was delighted to win two showjumping classes with her pony Hazy.

“It was very good,” she said. “I did not expect it. I knew we could do well but I was shocked to win two events. Hazy did not come from a showjumping background, so we have learned a lot together.

“I just love horse-riding. When you have, like, not such a good day and you go out on a ride, it just makes you feel a bit better and happier. It’s just nice.”

Sporting experience translates into other achievements

Longridge Towers Schools Headmaster Jonathan Lee added: “This is why we put such value on all of what the pupils do at Longridge – both outside as well as inside the classroom.

“The camaraderie amongst the team riders remains a joy to see, as is the support and interest shown by their families, their peers and staff colleagues, as well as by Ryan and Tony today in school. The riders clearly benefit from a special type of understanding, appreciation and care from everyone working with them, in addition to the time commitment mentioned.

“As Mo said, winning is special, yet there is so much more value here. There is no doubt in my mind that the time the pupils spend with each other, and their enjoyment gained from working together in a sport environment like this, translates into their development as people, their confidence and their other achievements too. They are all fantastic young ambassadors.”