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Bloxham students celebrated the school’s annual Founderstide in a unique and very special way when no less than three school teams became National Champions in week-end competitions.
Sunday (4th May) saw the Bloxham Clay Pigeon shooting teams in action at Doveridge in Derbyshire.
In a hotly contested contest the Bloxham A team of Andrew Miller (captain), Sam Harper, James Ukleja, Billy Aprahamian, Jack Sawbridge and Robert Cox held their nerve to beat off their opposition and lift the national title.
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| The boys A Team National Schools' Champions |
The Bloxham girls had the added pressure of being the defending national champions but superbly led by Jo Pick (who was again declared the individual ladies’ high gun for the competition the trio of Charlotte Pile, Sophie Crampton-Smith and Jo Pick produced an excellent set of results when it mattered.
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| Jo Pick ladies captain and High Gun for a second year running |
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| The National Schools' Champions - Bloxham |
The Bloxham boys' B team were also in fine form and came very close to making it three titles but they had to be contend with silver medals in their category of competition.
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| The Bloxham B Team who put in a strong performance |
24 hours later the school were once again in action; this time in the National Schools’ Equestrian Cross-Country competition at Primrose Hill Farm, Gawcott.
The Bloxham School team of Charlotte Pile (yes, the same Charlotte!) on Just an Illusion, Frances Bonner on Atlantic Reef, Henry Chamberlain on Miss Ellie and Elizabeth Funnell on Pimms all completed the Open Class on maximum bonus points. As well as winning the team event, Charlotte was also the winning senior individual and won the prize for opening the gate in the fastest time. Frances was second senior individual. There were 31 teams in the open class and over 130 competitors. The team’s chef d’equipe Mary Allbrook, said; “I am absolutely delighted. It was a just reward for the hard work and practice the team has put in.”
“Many thanks go to Fran Bird for coaching the teams on Tuesdays when the equestrian activity takes place, normally at Radway or Grange Farm, Swalcliffe.”
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| Henry goes over |
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| Taxi for Charlotte! |
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| Frances over the last and looking good! |
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| The Bloxham team of Frances, Henry, Charlotte and Wizz |
Bloxham’s Headmaster Mark Allbrook was delighted with the triple success:
“ This is a magnificent achievement for our squads. Proud as we are of the success we enjoy in the traditional team sports we are also keen to promote the individual and country sports. For this to be recognised in such a spectacular week-end of action is fabulous and I do wonder whether Charlotte Pile’s two national titles in two separate sports over two days is some sort of record!
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