West Sussex Stables gallops to national quiz title

April 13, 2013 - PRLog -- "We came third last year and made the Finals in 2011 on our first attempt, so we were determined to win the title this year" said Quiz Team member Helena Bissex (20) who along with Phoebe Goodale (12) has competed in all three Finals. "The first regional qualifier was back at the start of the year and we've been studying every week since, so it's been a long journey but it feels just amazing to win."
The final was held at Warwickshire College on 7th April where a total of thirty Branches and Centre teams from Northern Ireland, England, Wales and Scotland met to take part. Subjects covered in the eight rounds included Countryside, Equestrian Olympics & Paralympics and "bits, boots and bandages" as well as practical individual rounds.  The victorious team from West Sussex galloped in to win by the slimmest of margins, with just 1.5 points separating them from nearest rivals Talygarn Equestrian Centre.

"We are very proud of how hard everyone worked” commented Lucy Thomson, owner of Lavant House Stables. “Special thanks must go in particular to mothers Jane Bissex and Diane Goodale who dedicated a great deal of time and effort to successfully prepare the team.”

Lucy certainly leads by example, being something of an award winner herself. She competed successfully in international equestrianism in her earlier career and last year was shortlisted to the final three for two Sussex Business Awards including Entrepreneur of the Year.

"We have 40 ponies and horses and over 100 Members so special friendships of both the two and four legged variety are formed in the Pony Club for life" Chief Instructor at Lavant House Stables Amanda Kruger BHSI explained. "It provides a fun, educational and supportive environment for any young person interested in ponies and riding, and has been the starting point for a large majority of GB equestrian team members and Olympic medal winners."

The Pony Club is the worlds largest youth equine organization. It’s Centre Membership scheme was introduced in 1998 to enable children and young people without their own pony to take part in Pony Club activities, tests and achievement badges.   There are now 575 Pony Club Linked Centres, of which Lavant House Stables runs one of the largest and most active, with almost 16,000 non pony owning young riders taking part in activities across the UK.

lhstables.co.uk