Published: Thursday, 15th May, 2008 09:00
Thrilled Nicola receives prize from the Queen
By Sally Stevens
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A dream come true: Nicola on Rogan at the Royal Windsor Horse Show on Saturday.
EVERY pony fan’s dream came true for Army rider Nicola Rush on Saturday.
Captain Rush, the face of our Value For Valour campaign, was presented with a prize by The Queen at the Royal Windsor Horse Show.
Medic Nicola, 25, from Wokingham, was a member of the three-women Army Medical Services team competing in The Queen’s Challenge Cup For Services team jumping competition.
After finishing third out of 26 teams she said: “It’s been fantastic. It’s the first time I have ever got through to the second round.
“As a little girl my biggest ambition was to jump at the Royal Windsor Horse Show and here I am getting a prize from The Queen!”
Her Majesty presented the prizes after a thrilling second round jump-off at the international show in the grounds of Windsor Castle on Saturday afternoon. The Royal Navy won and the Defence Animal Centre came second. Nicola’s team was lead by Major Cath Fowdrey and also included Lt Laura Clarke.
Nicola, whose first horse Norman fell ill in February, was riding a new mount, Rogan.
She paid tribute to Rogan and her team-mates saying: “The team rode fantastically. It’s only my second competition on this horse and I’m over the moon with him. I have only been riding him for four months and what we have achieved in that time is fantastic.”
The first phase of the competition was held over nine fences, with all three riders jumping and in the second round one rider from the top 12 teams was nominated to compete.
In the Pony Club showjumping competition on Sunday, Amber Organ of Wokingham Pony Club finished seventh on Charlie.
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