Since Croydon High School first opened its doors in 1874, it has been no stranger to sport with hockey, netball, athletics and tennis teams all practicing on its grounds. As of 2011 however, Croydon High raised the bar when the school decided to form its very own Equestrian Team. Comprised of any girls who had the four-legged friends needed to compete, the team was to travel around taking part in show jumping, cross country and dressage competitions in the South East. For a school with no equestrian facilities, nor any stables in the immediate vicinity, this was no mean feat but four keen horse riders who attended the school were more than happy to take on the challenge.

And take on the challenge they have! Battling 5.00am starts (and on a Saturday no less!), freezing fingers, weak tea in Styrofoam cups and ponies that refuse to load into their trailers the CHS Equestrian Team has gone from strength to strength. Having only formed a year ago, Hannah Lipczynski, Izzy George, Sarah Motteram and Ellice Johnson and their horses have already been placed fourth at Felbridge’s NSEA competition and third at Duckhurst Showground in Kent.

What’s more, with two newcomers set to join later in the year it seems that the team is not only gaining rosettes but members too! Best of all however, is the fact that the team has managed to attract the attention of international show jumper Michaela Tomlinson who, an ex-Croydon High girl herself, has agreed to become the team’s very own coach for the upcoming season. The question seems to be then, not what have CHS Equestrian Team done so far, but what will they do next?!