THE annually held BHS National Riding School Championships returned last month, albeit in a slightly different format and a Bradford riding school had 16 competitors there.

Cliff Hollins Riding School, Bradford, are fortunate to still be up and running after being hit head on by the covid-19 pandemic, however they are still standing and their riders (varying ages) impressed at the National Championships.

The usual format of the competition sees riders attempt to qualify for the Nationals in a qualifying event held at their respective riding schools, before then attending the Championships in Warwickshire.

However, with the pandemic still intact, riders who qualified for the event were scored remotely from their individual riding schools, while riders were also not permitted to jump.

Staff members filmed those competing at the Championships, before sending the footage into the BHS board for a scoring.

Reflecting on the event, Chelsea Gardner, who works at Cliff Hollins Riding School, said: “First of all, it’s great for our school and riders to be back competing again after such a difficult period.

“We almost had to close our school through the pandemic because we had a lot of old horses which were without riders. It obviously meant that they wouldn’t have the required fitness when the riders returned, so BHS almost came to the decision of closing our school down. So, to be back is great.

“A lot of my riders do like jumping, and it was disappointing that, that aspect of the course was taken away this year.

“I do completely understand why the jumping side of things were removed from the course. It’s difficult when you’re doing it from our own schools rather than travelling to Warwickshire to take part in the Championships.

“The people who design the courses are liable for ensuring jumping takes place in a safe manner, so if anything did go wrong, then the course designer would be liable. I totally understand why they took that decision.

“It did put a few of my riders off though because they like jumping and doing the exciting stuff”

Gardner added: “The results were good and I’m very proud of all our riders. We got very good placings and I’m pleased with the overall result.

“Other schools did get higher placings than us, but we got the result and that’s what matters.

“When we used to go to Warwickshire, we didn’t really get on the placing ladder. I think there were only three of our riders who didn’t get on the scoreboard and everyone else did on this occasion.

“I did find the video side of it quite challenging. I’m not the most technical person there is, and it was all about getting the right shot."