PANGBOURNE College equestrian team recorded their best result of 2017 at the biggest event in the calendar, the Royal Windsor Horse Show.

The three-strong side finished second in the ultra-competitive Land Rover Services Team Jumping competition.

Head of riding, Stacey Donnison, said: “It was an amazing day from start to finish and an exceptional result to finish second – one of the very best in our history. It has been fantastic to receive so much support and so many well wishes afterwards, not just from within the college, but from the local community.”

The Pangbourne team of Jamie Grant, 18, Lily Pearce, 17 and Mayan Northway-Young, 14, combined superbly to finish only four faults behind eventual Services champions Bahrain Defence Force. The Royal Navy were a close-up third.

Miss Donnison said: “I was really proud of all the riders – they looked every bit at home in that arena. Nerves may have occasionally got the better of them on other occasions, but at Royal Windsor they rode with such a strong level of intent and confidence. They were absolute pros.

“It was natural there was a little bit of disappointment at having come so close to winning, but once that passed all the riders are still thrilled now with what they have achieved.”

In the Jungs Inter School Show Jumping competition, a young Pangbourne Equestrian team of Lucy Perring, 14, Meredith Wilson, 17, Jessie Saunders, 13 and Emily Collings, 13, were 18th out of 23 schools.