Cardigan Secondary School pupil Soffia Cynwyl is currently leading the 70cms British Show Jumping National School Series.

The competition sees riders from across England and Wales competing on a monthly basis with the top ten riders qualifying for the championships in the summer.

At the weekend, Soffia, a Tivyside Pony Club and Riding Club member, also competed at the NSEA – National Schools Equestrian Association eventers challenge again representing Cardigan Secondary School and qualified both her ponies for the championships, to be held in Hickstead this May.

Show jumping at BS level is something relatively new for 14-year-old Soffia who has in the past concentrated on flat showing classes and working hunter.

In 2019 Soffia represented Wales at the British Show Pony Society International competition and finished a credible sixth individual in the working hunter section riding her Section B gelding Milford Fair Honeybear.

Soffia said: “Both ponies have tried really hard and enjoy the job. I enjoy the speed of it and the technicality of the courses. The ponies thrive on difficult courses more than the galloping tracks and I feel they are giving their all since their time off over Christmas.”

Her mum Anwen is a well-known figure on the equestrian circuit and believes that these school competitions are a great way forward for both horse and rider.

“Like Pony Club and Riding Club events, these competitions offer something different on a monthly basis where you can improve your riding as well as tackling fences you might not see or have at home. We really appreciate the hard work and dedication the organisers put into hosting these shows, the support we’ve received from Cardigan Secondary School has been second to none, and long may these shows continue,” explained Anwen.