King’s Hawford out in Force at Hickstead

NSEA Grassroots National Championship 2025

The strength of the King’s Hawford Equestrian Team is illustrated not only by the sheer number of children who qualified for the NSEA Hickstead National Championships this year, but also by the results they achieved. The classes were huge, with several having 100 -184 riders and taking approximately six hours to complete; they were long days. Fortunately, our Hawford children are taught to be strong and resilient!

Thirteen children from Year 1 to Year 6 and 14 ponies made the great trek to Hickstead Showground in Sussex on 19^th August to compete for King’s Hawford Equestrian Team over two days.

Top 10 placings included:

• 40cm Class – Team 4th out of 28 teams for King’s Hawford Red Team (Freddie L, Georgina N and Izzy W)
• 40 cm Class – Individual 10th out of 101 riders for Izzy W
• 60cm Class – Team 6th out of 33 teams for King’s Hawford Blue Team (Maysie L, Rosie H and Adelyn K)
• 70cm Class – Team 10^th (Rosie H, Adelyn K, Chloe T and Maysie L)
• Grassroots Points League Mixed Height class where the girls did the 70cm course – Team 2^nd for Chloe T, Maysie L, Adelyn K and Rosie H

We showed great strength and promise in our results outside of the top 10 too:

• 40cm Class King’s Hawford Blue Team (Bella W, Claudia O’M, Freddie L and India L) all rode with great determination to achieve beautiful clear rounds
• 50cm Class, we had some stunning rounds from our three teams (Red, White and Blue). Olivia W and Bella W both rode fantastic clear rounds, with Georgia B, Georgina N and Izzy W all doing their teams, school and parents proud with just one unlucky pole down each to finish on 4 faults
• 60cm Class, King’s Hawford Red Team (Chloe T, Georgia B, Annie W and Olivia W) produced three excellent clear rounds and narrowly missed out on a top 10 placing, coming 11^th out of 33 teams

For most of our children, it was their first time competing at Hickstead and many were competing at a new height. In true Hawford style, they all took it in their stride, unfazed by the enormity of the event and the sheer number of competitors.

It was a wonderful experience for children and parents alike including a tour of the beautiful grass showjumping course with photos on top of the world-famous Hickstead bank!

Here’s to a fourth return visit next year!