Page 168 - AGC-Journal-2016

AGC JOURNAL 2016

AGC

Equestrian Association

By Major Bella Mayo

Over the past few months, our horses or horses on loan, for the first time A Demanding Sport
more experienced members in recent years the AGC has been able
to field a team of six riders in the UK
have benefited from training Armed Forces Equestrian Championships Horse riding is a demanding sport. It
requires fitness, courage, organisational
events and competitions at Addington Manor in April. The riders skills and a very good sense of humour.
such as the UK Armed Forces were: Laura Mitchell, Jo Evans, Steve The team has continued to impress
George, Sami Slater, Kirsty Betts and Amy
this year and the dedication that each
Equestrian Championships Sheppard. Laura Mitchell won the Intro member has shown to their sport has
and the Royal Windsor Horse A Dressage and Grassroots Combined been impressive. Particular mention must
Training (Show Jumping and Dressage)
Show, and we are continuing - a particular success as she had only be made of Sami Slater and Kirsty Betts
who have both stepped up to help run the
to provide opportunities for recently learnt to jump. Jo Evans came administrative side of the team, their work
all ranks to try their hand at second in the Novice Combined Training, has been invaluable. I am also continually
and the team of Jo Evans, Sami Slater and
this demanding sport. Kirsty Betts won the 90cm Novice Show
Jumping. Steve George and Sami Slater
also jumped clear in the Show Jumping
Training Individual classes. This competition was
an outstanding success for the Corps with
both the team and individuals beating a
Our regular training events allow our
riders to come together as a team, foster wide ranging selection of riders from across
team spirit and develop and practice their the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force
skills. With excellent Chain of Command equestrian community.
support we have been lucky enough to Sami Slater - jumping
gather our riders from units across the UK
to train in Andover with our team coach
Lucinda Sims. Training is focused reminded of the benefits that this sport
on the needs of each rider and brings back to the Corps. The bravery
their horse and partnerships are shown by Laura Mitchell who overcame
grouped together to ensure that her fear of jumping to train, compete and
everyone is able to achieve the ultimately win at the UK Armed Forces
most from each session. Equestrian Championships. The hard
As a result of this work put in by Amy Shepard to
training and with manage her horse, train and turn
the help of a growing
number of members
having their own

Jo Evans taking part in Cross Country at Larkhill

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