A talented young rider secured first and third place at the British Showjumping National Championships recently. Ronie Thomas, representing John Kyrle High School, and riding on two different ponies, rode two lovely clear rounds to secure her place in the jump off.

Ronie qualified for the British Showjumping 70cm Just For Schools National Championship on a points league, over a 12 month period, on her own pony, Bobby.

She came fifth in the top ten, out of the 231 riders, of that height, who qualified for the National Championships held at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.

There was also a direct qualifier at Summerhouse Equestrian Centre in July and Ronie qualified here, on Didi, a pony which is owned by Jilly Baker, which Ronie has just started to ride.

Ronie started riding when she asked for lessons when she was four years old. Her grandparents bought Ronie her first pony, then she acquired Bobby. They have been together for about four years and have developed a great bond.

It was a very early start to the day on Tuesday, August 8th when Ronie and her family set off for the BS National Championships at Stoneleigh Park. This was all worthwhile when Ronie secured her place in the jump off. She was third to go in the jump off on Bobby and they rode a crackingly fast round of 25 seconds which put them into first position, with other riders still to jump.

Ronie then had her second ride on Didi, and again rode a lovely clear round to put them in third place, with three other riders still to jump.

No-one else managed to better their results so Ronie was thrilled to collect both first and third rosettes.

This is Ronie’s last year competing on Bobby so this was an amazing way to finish their time together, Mum, Zoe Thomas, says she is hoping that Ronie’s younger brother will compete on Bobby next year and keep success in the family.

Ronie has a few competitions left this year including an event at the David Broome Event Centre at Caldicot on Didi at the end of August.