Kent riders enjoy success at National Junior Academy Championships with 'Mini Marvels' pick of the bunch

Kent riders have been celebrating after they enjoyed national success.

Featuring in the National Junior Academy Championships at Stoneleigh Park, with the junior event being held from last Monday until last Wednesday on the back of the senior British Showjumping National Championships, the county’s finest young prospects were in great form.

“We had a fantastic team. It’s a lot of fun for the kids,” said Katy Ford, who trained the team put together by Leigh Maybin, one of the heads of Kent Academy training.

“It’s really nice for them to be involved in a team sport. We took nine teams, eight out of the nine placed.

“They all came in the top 10 individually as well, which was brilliant.

“Of the 36 team riders we had there, for 32 to come in the top 10 individually, is just awesome.”

The pick of the sides were one of the two “Mini Marvels” representing Kent who became national champions while the other team competing in the category came third.

With the majority of that side based in Maidstone, eight-year-old Alfie Bailey, Olivia Lewington, nine, and 12-year-old Scarlett Braidford were joined by Taylie Rae Owen, 11 from the Ashford area, in the winning team.

“That’s really, really good going,” said Charlie Bailey, Alfie’s dad, whose son’s side beat teams from across England, Scotland and Wales.

“There’s some really good riders there. It’s a good achievement to beat 30 other county teams.”

But the team, aged between six and 21, is represented by boys and girls right across the county.

Ford explained: “We have some that come from Thanet and Herne Bay.

“There’s some that are on the cusp of the Sussex border and some from Faversham.”

Ford admitted supporting so many competitors was different, saying: “To be honest, it was so