Posted: 7th July 2016 | Back to news feed
Hartpury student Katinka Brogaard played a vital part in securing gold for Great Britain as part of the Junior Nations Cup Team in Belgium.
Katinka, 17, from Devizes, who has just completed her first year of studying A-levels at Hartpury and is part of the Elite Equine Academy, was selected for the show in Opglabeek after finishing as the third highest placed junior rider at Chepstow International earlier in May.
Brogaard and her horse, Belfast, went into the team competition on the second day after jumping a clear round on day one. They were the third to jump of the team of four, just rolling a pole in the jump off.
With great rounds from the other team members, they together clinched team gold ahead of Spain in second and France in third. Katinka also jumped in the 1.40m Junior Grand Prix class on the last day of the show, clocking an unlucky two time faults in a clear jumping round.
Katinka said: “To be selected was completely unexpected and a great achievement as this was only my first year in the junior trials. When we went to Belfast, the aim was simply to give me experience of competing at 1.20m so to get in the team and then win gold was unbelievable.
Back on Hartpury soil, Brogaard also recently received the award for Hartpury Elite Equine Academy Student of the Year. As part of the academy, she receives top class coaching and performance support and use of Hartpury’s exceptional facilities as well as support to balance her A-level study with training and competing.
She said: “Hartpury has been great as they are so flexible between lectures and training. The teachers are really understanding about tight training and competition schedules and are very helpful when it comes to catching up.
“Being part of the academy is very beneficial as the access to training and sessions, like strength and conditioning, is so easy. I don’t have to travel as it’s all on my doorstep. Corinne Bracken (the Elite Equine Academy show jumping coach) constantly improves my riding and the horse’s way of going while always being really encouraging.
“The extra sessions we receive as part of the academy have really improved my riding too. I didn’t really have access to strength and conditioning before coming to Hartpury and so I didn’t really know to the extent that it could help. It has been invaluable.”
As part of a British Jumping team, Katinka is also supported by the Equestrian World Class Programme. The programme, which encompasses both Podium and Podium Potential squads, focuses on identifying talent, developing potential and maximising medal winning performances on the world stage.
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