"After an extremely successful year, it is time for the Aberystwyth Riding Team to say goodbye to the 2007-08 season and concentrate on the exams ahead. No better way was there to do this though, than by competing at the BUSA National Championships, the epitome of student riding.

This year it was the Trophy Team's (B team) turn to parade the Aberystwyth flag at Nationals. After having won all of their area and regional competitions, the team managed to secure bronze against some very tough competition.

The team members were: Jemma Cooper and Jo Francis, both second year BSc Equine Science students, Ellen Brower, first year BSc Equine Science student and Claire Law, first year Equine Studies HND student.

Claire was covering for Georgina Joystone who was unable to compete because of an appendix operation. Claire proved to be a good replacement as she helped to secure a bronze medal for the team by winning on both her dressage and show jumping horse.

Unfortunately, Aberystwyth's Championship Team (A Team) missed out at the regional rounds when they draw with the Royal Agricultural College (RAC). In situations like these, the winners are decided by looking at the differentials, and unfortunately, RAC won, meaning the end of the trip for the A Team.

However, one of the team members, Jess Hafner, qualified as an individual. Jess, a third year BSc Equine Studies student managed to make it to the second round in the dressage which left her in 15th place! "I am just so happy I made it this far, I never even thought I'd make it to Nationals! It's been a great experience; it's just a pity we didn't make it as a team."

In addition to the success of Jess and the B team, I, the Team Captain, found out at Nationals that I have been long listed for the World University Equestrian Championships (WUEC) which will be held in Algeria in October. I've been through a long selection process in which they have been scrutinising all the applicants and selecting only the best.

The numbers are now down to 12 from an initial 70; however, only 3 will get to ride in Algeria. These 12 riders will be monitored over the summer both in training and at competitions, and those 3 who are on best form will get to represent their country at the WUEC. My first test for will be on the weekend of the 22nd-26th May, when I will be competing in a Student Riding Nations Cup (SRNC) in Germany.

None of this would have been possible without the financial and moral support of their sponsors. It is because of this that all the members of the teams would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to Morgan Jones Horsesboxes and WilbyDry Jodhpurs who covered all the entry costs. To Celtic Equestrian, who supplied the teams with Jackets and last, but not least, to all the staff at Lluest Equine Center for all their help and support."

Article by Bea Meitiner