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Sophie Dick, a year 8 student attending the Sir John Colfox School, is a member of Endurance Great Britain (an organisation involved in long distance competitive horse riding).  Sophie is currently Wessex Junior Rider Champion and also won the trophy for junior rider achieving the most points, horse and rider combined, in their first season.  "Good management, lots of training and determination to succeed combined with good luck on the day and you are in with a chance."  Says Sophie.

She attended the Southern Championships recently on the Berkshire Downs, near Lambourn.  Despite high winds and rain she completed an 80 km competitive ride on her Connemara cross New Forest pony, which then passed the strict veterinary inspection for fitness and heart rate on return to the venue, rewarding Sophie for all her hard work.

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Sophie is a member of the Elwell endurance riding team and keeps her pony at Elwell Stables near Waytown, owned by local businessman Andrew Peters and his partner, businesswoman Nellie George, both of whom have been a great support with Sophie's achievements.  Nellie is well known for being a very successful breeder, trainer and rider of elite Arab horses.

Despite a very busy school programme including performing in Rock Challenge and various sports activities Sophie works hard keeping fit and shares the management, training and preparation of her horse leading up to each event  with her dad.

"This is a wonderful achievement for Sophie," said Headteacher, Kay Taylor.  "Endurance riding is really tough and riders need to be resilient and determined.  Sophie's success is well deserved and we wish her all the best for the future."