Riding at Malvern St James Girls’ School
Riding at Malvern St James Girls’ School encouraged to be ambitious and to adopt the kind of physical and mental training programmes expected of all of our elite athletes.
Here at Malvern St James Girls’ School (MSJ) we take our riding seriously: we love all things equestrian and our MSJ team goes from strength to strength in prestigious national competitions.
Girls who progress to higher level competition are able to have their training and competition schedule accommodated within their academic timetable so that they have the time to focus on and blend both aspects.
We are one of a small number of independent schools offering a comprehensive programme for riding enthusiasts, whether beginners or those competing at national level. We have first class trainers who are leading lights in Eventing, Show Jumping and Dressage, which is just one of the reasons our team do so well in competition. This includes over 25 riders competing at NSEA events in all disciplines.
As part of our equestrian coaching programme, girls receive one-to-one guidance and support with regular mentor meetings, designed to analyse and improve performance, and getting the best out of horse and rider.
Representing MSJ in our equestrian team is a badge of honour earned by consistent high performance, commitment and collaboration, as well as fully participating in the equestrian programme. Entry into the team is through a rigorous and meritocratic selection progress. Putting on their team MSJ kit is a special moment for each girl, and they know that they deserve their place and they have worked hard to achieve it.
Riders at all levels enjoy great camaraderie. There is a real buzz about equestrian sport at MSJ, and the whole School recognises and applauds riders’ achievements. Girls can start to ride aged five and continue all the way up the School. They are nurtured and supported through recreational riding lessons and then given the opportunity to progress through our system of programmes, dependent on their riding and competition history.
Girls are set incremental goals to mark their progress and performance, and get them to where they want to be. Our riders are
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Equestrian Provision Court Equestrian, in Callow End near Malvern, is a full licensed and insured riding school. They offer a wide variety of services to all of their students, from novice to experienced adults. Court Equestrian was started in 1995 and has grown one of the largest yards in the area covering both teaching and livery. It is a member of the Association of British Riding Schools (ABRS), and is licensed and inspected by Malvern Hills District Council. Regular tuition is available for MSJ pupils at Court Equestrian and it is a very popular extracurricular activity amongst the pupils. The cost of which includes school minibus transport to and from the yard. Lessons are arranged weekly and are suited to a range of abilities. The pupils are able to ride in both their outdoor arenas and new indoor arena.
I really enjoy riding in the School training sessions because I get to be with some of my School friends and learn new things. I think I have gained a lot of confidence during the last few years. Riding lessons have helped improve my skills and given me the opportunity to ride different ponies. My aim is to compete in the Senior Team representing the School in all disciplines when I am older. Taking part in the grassroots training sessions has given me the confidence to compete. YEAR 6 RIDER
Riding lessons are lots of fun. It has given me more confidence and helped me to improve when riding my own pony at home. I would really like to get better at Showjumping and I would love to compete for School one day. YEAR 4 RIDER
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Grassroots Team Our Grassroot Team enter all NSEA events. Team training sessions with a qualified trainer give riders the skills they need to develop further. To compete in the Grassroots Teams, girls must own or loan a horse. In terms of husbandry the rider should be able to care for and ride with due care and attention, riders are encouraged to be members of their local Pony Club. Girls must possess the skills to ask and obtain a slow controlled walk, trot and canter. The Grassroots Team is suitable for novice riders and their horses and is a great stepping stone for moving into the Senior Team. I am part of the Grassroots Team and it’s great fun training together and improving our riding. Being part of the Grassroots Team is important to me because riding is my favourite hobby and I love competing for MSJ. Being on the team has also helped build my confidence. My goals are to compete in the Senior Team and to be able to apply for a Riding Scholarship when I’m in Year 9. YEAR 6 RIDER
Senior Team The MSJ Senior Team regularly fields competent and successful teams in all NSEA and SEG disciplines of Dressage, Show Jumping, Eventer Challenge, Jumping with Style and Eventing. The team trains throughout the year, in preparation for competing at weekends and during school holidays. Every year since 2013, the Senior Team have qualified for County and National Championships at Bury Farm, Keysoe and Addington, and SEG Eventing Championships since its invention in 2018. I started competing on the team in Year 6 and have gone to qualifiers, national championships and other competitions with the team. Being on the Riding Team has always been a place to have fun, learn, develop skills, make friendships and also be competitive, as well as learning how to win gracefully and sometimes how to lose gracefully. The team is successful and competitive but is also a great place to grow in confidence if you are new to competition. I hope to compete at bigger events such as Gatcombe Horse Trials and Hickstead, and widen my knowledge and skills when riding and competing. YEAR 12 RIDER 6
TEAM TRAINING Both teams train regularly at local facilities with expert trainers to support their progress. This is important for the team and it is an opportunity to not only improve their riding, but a chance to bond as a team.
STRENGTH TRAINING Just like any sport, athletes need to be fit and strong to be able to compete and ride to the best of their ability. At MSJ, Riding Scholars attend strength and conditioning sessions (timed around curriculum lessons) with their riding mentors and receive one-to-one sessions with our qualified personal trainers, in our state-of-the-art Sports Centre on School campus. These sessions are organised independently by the rider.
SCHOLARSHIPS Riding Scholarships are designed to reward excellence and to celebrate exceptional talent. We welcome applications for Riding Scholarships at 13+ (Year 9) and 16+ (Sixth Form). Riding Scholars are expected to be committed to representing MSJ at School equestrian events and to encourage other riders within the School. More information on Riding Scholarships can be found in our Scholarships Brochure
COMPETITIONS MSJ teams compete in NSEA and School Equestrian Games events and the National Championships they may qualify for. All riders and their horses are registered with the NSEA and School covers this cost. School also covers 50% of competition entry fees. All fixtures can be viewed on Fixtures Pro.
TEAM KIT Riders for both the Grassroots and Senior Team are required to purchase the School team kit.
SOCIALS The school organise socials and information evenings, for new and established members of both the Grassroots and Senior teams. The Equestrian community is a friendly team made up of pupils and parents, run by the MSJ PE department.
Being part of the senior team has, without a doubt, been one of the highlights of my School journey so far. The team has such a relaxed atmosphere and the support received from staff, pupils and parents alike makes the Riding Team such a positive and contented place to be. I compete in the School Team and feel privileged to be able to represent my School at such prestigious events around the country, whilst also having fun with people who share the same passion as me. Competing for School has taught me so much about equestrian in general, and I hope to be able to take this experience into later life to hopefully, one day, compete at Badminton or Burghley. YEAR 11 EQUESTRIAN SCHOLAR 9
Livery Birch Farm Livery offers a safe and secure haven for your daughter and her horse whilst at MSJ. Alternatively, for those who do not own their own horse, there is a selection of well-schooled and safe horses to have lessons on or to loan. Situated only 10 minutes from School, Birch Farm is easy to get to. School provides transport to and from the Farm to ensure girls can ride in the week or at the weekend. Mrs Isobel Manning, an accredited professional coach and yard manager, has a wealth of training and experience. She runs the yard with close attention to detail and lives on site with her family. She offers training, exercise and schooling of both horse and rider: this is especially useful when the girls have full School schedules. Mrs Manning coaches in all disciplines including NSEA Competitions, Pony Club and BHS exams. The facilities at Birch Farm include stabling and individual turnout paddocks, a heated kitchen and toilets plus an alarmed tack room. There is a 60 x 22m all-weather arena, dressage boards and jumps plus the opportunity to go hacking along lanes and orchards. Birch Farm is well situated for competition venues such as King’s, Allen’s Hill, Moore’s Farm and Hartpury. Mrs Manning is fully insured and is a licensed Chaperone. She has also completed the First Aid at Work certificate, her Child Protection and Safeguarding training and is DBS checked. Livery requirements can be arranged to meet individual needs.
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Head of Equestrian Miss Ceri Tamplin (Director of Sport at Malvern St James) tamplc@malvernstjames.co.uk