College pair to chase glory at Bramham

Sixteen-year-old Paige Broadbent will take part in the British Showjumping B&C with her horse Upan II, known as Jaffa.

Broadbent will be joined by 18-year-old Sophie Platt who is competing Caesar, owned by Stephen Pascoe, in the Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse four-year-old class.

Broadbent, from Boroughbridge, joined Askham Bryan last September and is studying for a Level 3 Diploma. Her horses are based with showjumper Jackson Reed Stephenson at Lower Dunsforth.

Platt is one of four students in the College’s Academy, who are continuing to train with Olympic coach Chris Bartle at the Yorkshire Riding Centre near Ripon.

Platt events with her own horse Bebe, and is currently working towards Skipton Horse Trials in mid-June, along with fellow Academy student Georgia Harness who will ride her sister’s horse Chalky.

The College will also be sponsoring the final fence – the Askham Bryan College Seat – on the three-day event cross-country course.

Academy director Fiona Harrison said: “Paige and Sophie are both talented riders who are working hard towards a career with horses and we wish them the best of luck at Bramham.”

Askham Bryan College is also gearing up for its own Open Day and British Showjumping event on Saturday, June 22, when students will have the opportunity to compete against international competitors.

The whole College will be open to visitors to find out more about courses and facilities while the Grand Prix Show begins at 9am, with classes including Foxhunter, Senior Discovery, Senior British Novice and Senior Discovery.

Two classes, an Accumulator with Joker and the National Open 1.40m Open Championship Grand Prix, both offer top prizes of £500.