Latest news with #HartpuryUniversity
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Wales forward Pyrs makes Gloucester switch
English champions Gloucester-Hartpury have signed Wales forward Alaw Pyrs for the forthcoming Premiership Women's Rugby 19-year-old lock made her Wales debut last September and featured in this year's Six previously played for Gwalia Lightning in the Celtic Challenge as well as Hartpury University in the British universities championship."To be an international whilst still a teenager is a remarkable achievement, and shows the potential that Alaw clearly has," Gloucester's head of rugby Dan Murphy said."She's a physical player and has impressed with Wales, Hartpury and Gwalia Lightning, so we're delighted that she's put pen to paper here."She'll learn so much from the experienced forwards we have here and get better and better, and that's what really excites us."
Pembrokeshire Herald
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Fishguard Sports edge Camrose in dramatic Division Two Cup Final
A FISHGUARD amateur rider has qualified for the prestigious Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) following a standout performance at a major qualifier in Warwickshire. Hannah Jenkins and her eye-catching grey horse, Le Paz—known as Balou at home—secured victory in the Working Horse class at the SEIB Search for a Star qualifier held at Stoneleigh Park on Saturday (May 25). Judged by top showing experts Nicola Taylor and Richard Ramsay, the win earns the pair a coveted place in the HOYS finals at the NEC Birmingham this October. Hannah, who works full-time as an intensive care nurse, spoke of the challenges she faced juggling work commitments and competition preparation. The pair narrowly missed qualification at an earlier event at Hartpury University, where they finished runners-up. 'Hartpury was originally the only qualifier I could do,' she said. 'After we came second there, I thought, 'I'm going to have to try again now,' so I swapped my shifts around so we could come here today.' Balou originally came to Hannah on loan from her best friend, who bred him. 'I had twin boys and she knew I got on with Balou and wanted to help me get back in the saddle,' Hannah explained. 'He came to stay and never left. I've owned him since last summer and I love him to bits.' Nicolina MacKenzie, organiser of SEIB Search for a Star, praised Hannah's determination and the ethos of the competition. 'Search for a Star is all about the journey—learning and improving over time. Our team of judges and stewards are committed to supporting competitors and helping them achieve their potential.' The SEIB Search for a Star series, launched in 1996, has opened the door for thousands of amateur riders to compete at national level, including at HOYS and Your Horse Live. Qualifiers take place throughout the country, offering a broad range of classes for amateur show riders. For more information and updates, visit or the SEIB Search for a Star Facebook page. Entries can be made via the Showing Scene platform. SEIB has been providing specialist equestrian insurance for over 60 years, offering tailored cover for horses, riders, horseboxes, trailers, and businesses. More details can be found at
Western Telegraph
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Western Telegraph
Fishguard rider qualifies for Horse of the Year Show
Amateur rider Hannah Jenkins and her horse Le Paz, known as Balou at home, have qualified for the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in Birmingham this October. The pair competed in the SEIB Search for a Star qualifier on May 25 at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire. They won the Working Horse class under judges Nicola Taylor and Richard Ramsay, earning their HOYS qualification. Ms Jenkins and Le Paz had narrowly missed out on qualifying last month when they took the runner-up spot in the Search for a Star qualifier at Hartpury University in Gloucestershire. Ms Jenkins said: "Hartpury was originally the only qualifier I could do, I work as an intensive care nurse and after we came second there, I thought I'm going to have to try again now and managed to swap my shifts around so we could come here. "Balou came to me on loan from my best friend who bred him. "I had twin boys and she knew I got on with Balou and wanted to help me get back in the saddle so he came to stay and has never left. "I've now owned him since last summer. "I love him to bits." The SEIB Search for a Star competition first took place in 1996 and has since provided thousands of opportunities for amateur riders to compete at HOYS. Each of the SEIB Search for a Star qualifying shows offers opportunities for a full range of show horses to earn a place at the series championships at Horse of the Year Show and Your Horse Live. SEIB Search for a Star organiser, Nicolina MacKenzie said: "Search for a Star is all about the journey and learning and improving over time. "Our team of judges and stewards are all invested in providing support and encouragement to help competitors and their horses and ponies perform to the best level they can."
Western Telegraph
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Western Telegraph
Student thanks air ambulance who helped seriously hurt mum
Alex Jones took part in the Gloucester 10k as a way to say thank you to the Wales Air Ambulance for rushing to help his mum after she experienced spinal cord compression. The 10k race was his first ever race, and the Hartpury University student wanted to make it special by raising money for the air ambulance. He set himself a fundraising target of £350, which he exceeded. The Equestrian Sports Coaching student said: "It was a real honour to support such an incredible cause. "This charity is particularly close to my heart. "Unfortunately, my mum experienced a spinal cord compression, which is a life-changing and frightening experience. "Thanks to the quick and professional response of the Welsh Air Ambulance, she was able to receive the urgent care she needed. "Their intervention gave her a much better chance at living a more able-bodied life, and for that, I'll always be grateful." Mr Jones completed the Gloucester 10k in 59 minutes, and he was supported by his friends and family at the event. He said: "The 10k run went really well. "It was such a meaningful and emotional day, made even more special by the presence of my friends and family cheering me on. "This was my first time running a race. "I've never enjoyed running before, but when I had a goal to work towards it made it much more than just running. "I definitely put a bit of pressure on myself because I was fundraising for a charity, but crossing that finish line made all the effort feel truly worthwhile. "Being able to give back through this fundraiser has been an incredibly meaningful experience." He said he was 'absolutely thrilled' to have raised the money for the charity, which relies on donations from the public. Mike May, regional fundraising manager for west Wales, said: "A huge congratulations to Alex for completing the Gloucester 10k in aid of our all-Wales Charity. "Alex has said that he isn't a runner but showed his true determination and commitment to the cause by completing the 10k. "He should be proud of himself. "Alex knows first-hand how important our service is to the people of Wales. "Thank you so much for supporting our Charity, we really appreciate it." The Wales Air Ambulance needs to raise £11.2 million every year to keep its helicopters in the air and its rapid response vehicles on the road.
BBC News
05-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Hartpury's Stephen Sarkodie hopes to fly mum out for Wembley game
A goalkeeper who moved to England with a dream of playing at Wembley may fly his mother from Ghana to watch it come Sarkodie arrived in England in 2018 to pursue his education at Hartpury University in Gloucestershire, and turned down a professional contract to put his studies Sarkodie, who learnt English before moving, said the language had been "the most challenging", but had shared his culture with his team by cooking them jollof - a traditional West African rice a Master's student, he will play against Whitstable Town with his Hartpury University team mates on Sunday in the Isuzu FA Vase semi-final second leg. Mr Sarkodie told BBC Radio Gloucestershire he had been on "a long journey" since moving to England."I've always had a dream of getting a degree before I play football so I wanted to focus on that dream and that's how I ended up here," he said."In Ghana, going to school is one of the most important things to do and my mum has always supported that, so to fulfil my mum's dream, I just wanted to get a degree."Mr Sarkodie said to move to England, he had to pass his English exam, but the language was not the only "challenging" aspect of moving thousands of miles from home. Cultural differences "The culture is quite different to where I was, everything is about church, Christianity and religion [in Ghana]," he said."I'm still drawn to my local food, I still eat that a lot. My favourite Ghanaian food is jollof - it is made of rice and tomato sauce - with plantain on the side. "My favourite English food is mashed potato and sausages."The Sports business management student said he introduced his team mates to jollof, and they thought it was "the best food in the world". 'Wembley dream' Mr Sarkodie has special plans for 11 May at Wembley Stadium, if all goes well on Sunday."I'm going to fly my mum to England for the first time to watch me play at Wembley," he said."I've always had a dream of playing Wembley, the dream is not gone yet."We still believe, and I still believe, we're going to get there."
