HORSE-mad pupils at the Chase School, Malvern, have organised teams to represent the school at local showjumping events, spurred on by PE teacher and keen rider Dani Diment.

The youngsters got off to a flying start to begin the new 2012 season when they took part in two separate events held over the February halfterm.

Croome Pony Club hosted a team and individual event at Gracelands Equestrian Centre, near Droitwich, on February 15.

Chase riders Zoe Smith, Rosie Milner, Molly Woodford-Allton, Millie Cain, Millie Wasley, Becky Ravenhill and Dani Diment, together with Abi Lovegrove and Mia Bannister, of Hayswood Equestrian, did very well.

The Malvern Chasers, made up of Zoe Smith, Rosie Milner, Molly Woodford- Allton and Millie Cain came second in the 1’9’’ class.

Mollie Woodford-Allton came third in the individual class and Zoe Smith came sixth.

Chase Gems, made up of Millie Wasley, Becky Ravenshill and Dani Diment came fourth in the 2’ class, and the Chase Diamonds – Zoe Smith, Rosie Milner, Millie Cain and Abi Lovegrove – came sixth.

Becky Ravenhill came third in the individual class, Millie Wasley came fifth and Abi Lovegrove came sixth.

Chase Flyers, made up of Millie Wasley, Becky Ravenhill and Dani Diment came fourth in the 2’3” class.

On Sunday, the last day of half-term, the Chase entered seven teams into the popular show-jumping event hosted by the North Herefordshire Hunt Pony Club, which took place at Kings Equestrian Centre in Bromyard.

There were so many entries that the day started at 8am and did not finish until 9.30pm with up to 40 riders in many of the classes.

It was a long day and Dani was ably supported by the kind help offered to her from Linda Ravenhill, of Hayswood Equestrian, who was there to support the teams and walk the show-jumping courses with the riders.

Linda has also helped Dani with selecting the teams on both days and running training sessions to prepare the riders for their competition day.

But all the hard work paid off as riders collected first, second and two third places, as well as individual placings.

Riders representing the Chase were Charlotte Aston, Georgie Roberts, Martha Hallon, Paige Seddon, Tori Own, Becky Ravenhill, Millie Wasley, Mia Noble, Becky Wild, Zoe Hopkins and Nat Cull, plus two riders from Hayswood Equestrian – Jodie Bannister and Lauren Norman.

Chase Gems, made up of Tara Graham, Molly Woodford-Allton, Jodie Bannister and Lauren Norman, came third in the 2’ class.

Chase Flyers, made up of Tori Owen, Becky Ravenhill, Millie Wasley and Mia Noble, came first in the 2’6” class and Tori also made first in the individual with Becky Ravenhill fourth.

Wild Chasers – Becky Wild, Millie Wasley, Becky Ravenhill and Tori Owen – came second in the 2’9” class.

Becky Ravenhill was third in the individual and Becky Wild was fifth.

Chase Sapphires, made up of Zoe Hopkins, Nat Cull and Tori Owen, came third in the 3’ class, with Zoe Hopkins first in the individual class.

In the 3’3” class individual, Nat Cull came first and Zoe Hopkins second.

Dani was thrilled with the success of her school teams and said she was looking forward to the next event, which is being held at Hartpury Arena in April.

The riders will all look forward to some training sessions with Linda at Hayswood Equestrian and hope to come home with success and plenty of rosettes.