2002 UKPA Nationals Report

The UKPA's National Championships 2002 were held in Worcester on 31st August and 1st September and although the weather was maybe not as nice as it could have been, the lack of rain provided almost-perfect playing conditions.

The competition was excellent as usual because players had to prove their own abilities to ensure they secured a place in one of Pennine's teams. We entered teams in the A, B and C Grade divisions as well as the Junior and Primary Junior Divisions. Unfortunately Pennine wasn't as successful as we had hoped, only managing to win the Junior and Primary Junior Divisions respectively.

However, we were still incredibly proud of our success in the two divisions as the future of the club and the game lies in our younger members. Both teams won all their games very easily, the Primary Juniors scored over 60 goals in the weekend and only conceded 2, which can only be testament to their teamwork and determination.

Our A, B and C Grade teams came 2nd, 4th and Runners-Up in the Plate Final respectively and although the competition was tough, it was very clean with very few injuries, thankfully.

Although we only managed to win 2 divisions, Pennine took home many more additional awards. Penny Beaumont's horse, Dippy, was awarded Best Horse in the A Grade competition, in the B Grade competition James Robertson got Best Number 1 and Imogen Johnson got Best Number 2, in the Juniors Anna Robertson's horse, Moola, was awarded Best Horse and James Davidson got Best Number 1, while Lucy Shell was Best Number 3 and in the Primary Juniors Beth Peaker was Best Number 3 and her horse, Tom, was awarded Best Pony.

All in all it was a pleasing Nationals for Pennine and although it would have been nice to take home a few more division trophies, it gives us something to work towards for the coming season.