RAF Equestrian Team Success at Royal Windsor 2006

Each year May sees a major highlight in the Royal Air Force Equestrian calendar, the Royal Windsor Horse Show. The show is run over four days in the grounds of Windsor Castle. There are many spectacular displays of horsemanship ranging from the Shetland Pony Grand National to International Show Jumping. An entire morning is devoted to the Services Team Show Jumping where teams from all three services compete for a coveted trophy that is presented by none other than Her Majesty, The Queen.

Each team consists of three members who all jump one round gaining penalties for each mistake made. The first rider from each team competes followed by the second and finally the third. The twelve teams with the lowest number of penalties go forward to the second round, where one rider is chosen to complete a round against the clock in front of The Queen. Penalties are again awarded for any mistakes made and the team with the lowest, total penalties from the two rounds is crowned the winner.

Before the second round is commenced, a parade of all teams in full uniform is performed in front of the Queen. This is a great honour for all the competitors chosen to compete at this prestigious event.

For the RAF, team selection takes place at a training camp held the week prior to Royal Windsor. This camp is run by ex-Olympic show jumper and renowned commentator Stephen Hadley. He has an exceptional amount of experience in the show jumping world both as a rider and as a trainer of today’s top, international riders. Each year he invites members of the RAFEA to his base in Warwickshire for top level coaching and at the end of three intensive days, the final selection is made. 2006 saw nine lucky members making it to the training camp and then going forward as 3 teams to the Royal Windsor Horse Show.

It was not the brightest start to the day with clouds threatening the 29 teams competing with a shower or two. But spirits were high and, with a long day ahead, the B team were the first to go for the RAF. They got off to a respectable start with SAC Rebecca Downes completing the course with several penalties. The other members of the B team, Cpl Kelly Coulthard and SAC Melissa Stoner, both jumped very nice, fluid rounds with only an unlucky rail down each but it was going to be close as to whether they would make the final twelve.

The A team got off to an unfortunate start with Flt Lt Adrian Dant amassing nine faults for the team. Next to ride for the A team was the Chef D’Equipe, Wg Cdr Jane Austin, who, after her horse’s decided reluctance to go into the scary main arena, managed to pick up the pace and jump a nice round with just that always unfortunate last fence down giving her a respectable four faults. The final member of the A team, Flt Lt Michelle Hitt jumped a magnificent clear round to put the team right back in the hunt and, with a decent team score, the A team were assured of a place in the jump off.

The C Team unfortunately did not fair so well. First to go for this team was Sqn Ldr Dawn Elson who put in a Herculean vocal effort in her round and although managing to jump most of the fences, a momentary mental lapse saw the pair neglect to jump a fence meaning elimination for this combination. Second to jump for this team was Flt Lt Julie Garvin who put in one of the performances of the day with a lovely round that was clear jumping with just two time faults. Not bad when you consider she has only just returned to riding after recovering from a broken arm and for a while, it was touch and go as to whether she’d be fit to compete. Cpl Jim Revills was last to compete for this team and, despite his best efforts, his horse decided it was not a day for jumping all the way round and, after two stops, they were eliminated. This unfortunately meant that the C team would not have a place in the final twelve but would still take part in the parade of teams.

After the final team had completed, the twelve were named to compete in the second round and thankfully, both the A and B team had made it through to the jump off.

By the afternoon, the sun had finally come out and the crowds had built up so much that all the stands were full and there was little standing room at the sides. This made the prospect of going in the ring to jump again a fairly daunting one! The tension was amazing and SAC Stoner was the first in to compete for the RAF B Team. She jumped a superb clear round on her horse and managed a good time to put them in a very strong position. There were plenty of mistakes being made by the next few teams and the B team were slowly moving up the rankings. Flt Lt Hitt was chosen to represent the A Team after her impeccable first round and once again came up with the goods producing another beautifully jumped round. The Navy unfortunately managed to pip the A team ending on the same penalties but with a faster round. The B team managed a fantastic climb from 12th place all the way up to 7th thanks to SAC Stoner’s great round. The top three teams all performed spotless rounds the final positions were as follows:

1st Household Cavalry, 2nd Eton College. 3rd Household Calvary, 4th Royal Navy,

5th RAF A Team, 6th Defence Animal Centre, 7th RAF B Team.

A fun day out was had by all and the RAF team members put in a great effort to try and pull out all the stops for a successful outcome. Of course, none of this would be possible without the continued help and support of the RAF Sports Board. Also, thanks to all those behind the scenes, grooms, helpers, jump putter uppers, horse holders and everyone else who make the stress and anxiety of competing at this level a little easier to bear. It also takes a lot of hard work behind the scenes to make sure the horses are happy and healthy and for all those who help to make this possible, thank you. Also, a special mention for Wg Cdr Jon Webster, Chairman of the RAFEA, who continues to work towards ever improving, nurturing and expanding the team so that it may continue to grow and succeed in the future.

(Flt Lt Jules Thurston, May 06)