Junior Regional Tetrathlon, Thornton Watlass, North Yorkshire hosted by Northern Region

The junior regional Tetrathlon was opened this year to include all regions of the UK, and hosted by the northern

region in Yorkshire.

The regions competing were Northern England, Eastern England, Wales and borders, Central England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland, unfortunately no team from the Southern England region.

The regions are made up of 3 or 4 pony club areas, Ledbury is in Central England, along with Area 7 (Warwickshire) and Area 12 Berkshire and S. Oxfordshire.

The entire central region team was made up of Ledbury girls, Camilla Barnes, Tory Fox, Alice Harper, Libby Walker and Milly Walker.

The girls had 75 in their class, with 14 teams. The girls had to be 14yrs or under on the 1st of Jan.

The Friday was a long journey to reach the cross country course where we were stabled and camping. Each corner of the field was camp to a different region. The fun then began, team games and rounders, whilst the adults sorted food and drink. It also gave us the first glance of the cross country course, full up would be a good description.

Saturday arrived rather quickly for some, with the sound of rain on the roof. It was time to head for the local leisure centre, to shoot and swim. All the team in their team colours, and flags.

First the shooting in the hall, the pressure was on. The best girl from the Wales and borders shot 1000. Then the swimming this was the first tell tell sign the ledbury girls were up against a different class, all the girls swam personal bests, with the best central member swimming 9 lengths in 3 minutes, enough to be 15th best swim. The best girl in the competition swam just short of 11 lengths in the time allowed.

Back to the camp site for a ride out. Another look at the cross country course. quick change ready for the show and disco. The central girls did a great dance routine to Combine harvester by the worzels, but it wasn't quit good enough to impress the X factor judges and the Scottish won.

Sunday, cross country, all five girls rode fantastically over a full up course with some very technical elements, the most difficult of which was a bank on and off with 2 strides to a narrow brush set at 90 degrees to the landing.

the course caused problems from start to finish with only the slip rail not causing any problem.

Finally the run in the heat, 1500m across a field. Camilla Barnes was fastest in 5minutes 17sec, the fast girl from Scotland achieved a time of 5 minutes 8 seconds. The run times had a major bearing on the scores.

The event was won by the Republic of Ireland, and central England were 6th team, with Camilla Barnes a fantastic 8th individual.

Many thanks to all those who organised the event so brilliantly, and to the ledbury girls who acquitted themselves so

well.

More photographs from the event are available on the gallery. Click Here