UCL beat KCL 22.5 : 34.5* at Trent Valley Equestrian Centre, with Lily Howell and Hope Wheway scoring individual first and second for TeamUCL.
UCL produced strong and reliable rides across both the dressage and jumping events pipping King's to the post and clawing the title back from the Reds, who had won the previous two Varsitys.
A real competition was had, with both teams being roughly equally experienced and both teams containing riders who compete internationally.
Dressage was a brilliant display of control and horsemanship as the riders from both teams pranced their ways across the ring. A real display of camaraderie was present across with everyone encouraging each other to perform at their best and reduce nerves before dressage runs.
UCL led King's at the break, and said they were “feeling confident” going into the show jumping.
The atmosphere at the break was tense, perhaps due to King's’ Matin Azidhak sitting an exam during that time.
The show jumping section consisted of 14 jumps, including a joker and a particularly tricky jump 11 involving a tight turn into a narrow fence. It proved to be an excellent test of both the rider and horse’s ability.
This section too seemed to be a tight race with little between both teams. Stand out moments included UCL’s Hope Wheway performing an excellent run despite her feet falling out of the stirrups half way round and King's’ Azidhak having a shocker of a run and knocking more fences than Wheway.
As the jumping concluded and everyone piled into the green room to hear the results there was a sense that UCL had cinched it; however, this did not dull the reaction when the result was announced.
Family members of riders piled on the love and congratulations as the rosettes were handed out and photos taken.
Despite what King's may argue, UCL were the better riders regardless of whether the judge was a UCL alumnus!
Special thanks must be given to the real stars of the event: the Trent Park staff and their wonderful horses. Big thank you to Ruby for playing along and showing great interest in the CG varsity issue!
Final Placings:
Overall:
1st UCL 22.5*
2nd KCL 34.5*
Individual
1st Lily Howell (UCL)
2nd Hope Wheway (UCL)
3rd Amy Harries (KCL)
4th Matin Azidhak (KCL)
5th Daisy Sankey (UCL)
6th Patricia Comninos (UCL)
*Equestrian scores are penalties, the scores shown here are the total number of penalties received by each team. The lower the score, the better the team.