Localrider Magazine
PONY CLUB • RIDING CLUB • EVENTING • DRESSAGE www.localrider.co.uk
£3.00
September 2015
Over 30 pages of Show Reports including: September 2015 • VOLUME XV NUMBER 8
● Hickstead Royal International
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● BEF Futurity ● Gorley Vale ● Redhorse Dressage Plus lots, lots more!
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The stables are built around a central courtyard
Above all else Mayfield is a happy school
Set in the peaceful Sussex countryside Mayfield is an independent boarding and day school for girls aged 11 to 18. Sport and the development of a lifelong healthy and balanced lifestyle are integral to the life of Mayfield School for Girls.
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Pupils receive regular training in all disciplines
Mayfield creating a legacy!
There is plenty of grazing, so the horses can enjoy down time relaxing in the fields. UKCC Level 3 Eventing Coach Emily Baldwin is based at Mayfield, seen here giving a cross country lesson.
iding has been an important part of Mayfield School life for over twenty years, but with the recent upgrading of on site facilities the school is now able to offer even more training and wonderful opportunities to riders of all levels. The yard, which is situated less than a minute’s walk from the main school building and just a stone’s throw from the sports fields, is home to around 30 horses at any one time. The majority of the horses belong to pupils, but it is also possible for girls to either loan or share a pony during term time. Mayfield students have an outstanding record of performance in equestrian competitions at school, national and international level, and the lady driving this success is Jill Barker BEd, BHSII J, CertEd, Director of Riding. Mayfield girls have an ethos of work hard and play hard and Jill believes if you can create a passion, whether it is riding, ceramics (which the school are exceptionally good at), art, music etc, it helps to motivate and inspire your academic life also. Jill said: “We are an academic school that offers the opportunity to ride at the highest level. Our results in producing successful riders who have gone on to pursue successful careers speak for themselves. The girls learn to manage their time in order to fit in everything that they want to do. Many of our riders are also involved in sports teams, drama productions and music. Once you inspire pupils, they are able to motivate themselves and opportunities open up to them.”
Outstanding Equestrian Facilities There are two stable blocks each set around a courtyard and joined in the middle by a covered wash bay. The improved facilities also include an indoor arena and wonderful large outdoor arena. The school has a professionally built cross country course, as well as plenty of off-road hacking. The school has had a number of girls who have been very successful at the highest level of equestrian sport, with representation at Junior European level in dressage, show jumping and eventing, with five of the girls winning team and individual medals. Former pupils, Emily Baldwin and Emily Llewellyn have both continued in the sport of eventing, competing at Badminton and Burghley as well as on Senior Nations Cup teams. After time away establishing herself as a top international rider, Emily Baldwin now has a small yard of her own horses at Mayfield and is actively involved in training and educating the girls. While she mainly teaches the elite level riders, she also gives practical lessons in subjects such as the use of ice, physio stretches and how to trot up a horse.
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Caters for all abilities Mayfield caters for riders of all abilities and aspirations, with the training provided split into three levels: Elite level, Developmental level and Grassroots level. Elite level is aimed at riders who have the potential to compete at the very top of their chosen discipline. Developmental level is aimed at riders with young horses and also at those wishing to gain more experience. Grassroots level is for novice riders and those who are learning to ride. There are a mixture of riders in this level, with some riding purely for pleasure, while others are keen to progress up the grades.
Competitive spirit The school offers lots of opportunities for those who wish to take part in competitions. In addition to inter-house dressage and show jumping competitions, they host inter-school events and have a school lorry to drive girls to local events and shows. Everyone has the opportunity to compete, with the lorry sometimes driving backwards and forwards all day. It is in the National Schools Equestrian Association (NSEA) competitions that Mayfield have carved their niche, having won over 14 national titles. Jill attributes this success to the wonderful camaraderie between the girls. They all want each other to do well and they celebrate each other’s success.
The girls want each other to do well and celebrate each other’s success.
The school caters for riders of all abilities, with a number of loan and share ponies available.
UKCC Level 3 Eventing Coach Emily Baldwin is based at Mayfield, seen here jumping Drivetime on the Nations Cup Team in Aachen Emily Baldwin and Jill Barker with Immie Long at the Badminton Grassroots Final
Competing at the NSEA Championships, where the school has won 14 different national titles. Mayfield Riding Department has the best competition record of any school in the country.
Badminton bound One of the school’s sixth formers, Immie Long qualified her horse, Foxdon Half Pint for the Badminton Grassroots Final in both 2014 and 2015. On both occasions Jill took a small group of pupils with her for the day to cheer and support Immie, as well as giving them the opportunity to learn about eventing at a higher level. Emily Baldwin was also there to walk the course with Immie and to give her any last minute advice.
Fantastic Academic Record Mayfield School provides a wonderful opportunity for girls to experience excellent sporting opportunities alongside their academic studies. When the 2015 A Level results were announced in August Mayfield School recorded an increase in results for the fifth successive year, with the A* to B pass rate increasing to 81%. All of the girls passed three or more A Levels, with a good number successfully studying an eclectic range of four or five challenging academic subjects. The Headmistress Miss Antonia Beary said: “It has been another outstanding year for Mayfield girls. The standard of their performance inside and outside the
classroom continues to impress. All of the girls study traditional, rigorous and challenging A Level subjects and there is no doubt that the expectation that they think independently and take responsibility for their own work has helped them to such pleasing outcomes. I am confident that what they have learnt and the way in which they have learnt it – not to mention the friendships they have made - will stand them good stead as they go on to University and beyond.”
Best competition record Not everyone who rides at Mayfield will want to compete, many are just happy enjoying the extensive hacking and wonderful tuition available to them. The only hope Jill Barker has is that they aim to be as good as they can, whatever level they
Emily Llewellyn is one of a small number of pupils who won European medals for eventing during their time at Mayfield.
are riding at. For those who are looking to compete and improve their results the Mayfield Riding Department has the best competition record of any school in the country. Jill said: “We thrive on coaching each individual to reach and often exceed her unique potential, and the secret of our success undoubtedly lies in a carefully balanced combination of expert tuition, and our exceptional support system and team spirit. Under the guidance of our specialist staff, the girls encourage and support one another as they challenge themselves and grow in confidence and competence, often surpassing their own expectations. We delight in watching our girls develop their ability, self-esteem and self-belief, and become mature, well-rounded and skilled young riders.”
For more information contact: Mayfield School, The Old Palace, Mayfield, East Sussex TN20 6PH www.mayfieldgirls.org SEPTEMBER 2015 Localrider 31
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