The dressage academy, managed by Lauren Rees and trained by professional rider Harry Payne, is in its third year of existence, and this is proving to be the best year yet. The members of the academy are Moulton College students who show a strong interest and ability in dressage.                                     

Since September the academy has put claim to many rosettes and notched up scores of over 70% on a regular occurrence. Candice Pottage riding Ruby topped the board in her first ever affiliated dressage competition back in October getting 72% and Ruby continues to wipe the board by winning the Novice class this month (February) with a respectable 65%. More wins include Lilly Green with her own Direct Illusion in prelim 1 with 61%.

The fourteen members of the academy not only have a weekly training session with Harry Payne, they also have a weekly Strength and Conditioning session with coach David Sutton. The students compete regularly at weekends on their own and Moulton College’s horses.

It’s not all training and no fun, the students enjoyed a trip to Olympia in December to watch the FEI Dressage to Music championships, and travelled to Spain in March to watch the Sunshine Tour, an annual International dressage competition.