MATHS, English, science and show jumping are all on the curriculum now at a Reigate school.
Students at Royal Alexandra and Albert School, more than 100 of whom are keen horse riders, were stumped as to how they could enter show-jumping competitions with no horse box big enough to transport riders and mounts to the venues.
The solution? The school, set in 260 acres of parkland, has opened its own show jumping venue.
The 970-pupil establishment is now a fully accredited British Show Jumping Association venue and had its first event on March 30.
Irini Economou, the school's stable manager, said: "Becoming a show jumping centre will open up so many opportunities for our pupils. All our children will be able to experience the thrill of competing against other riders.
"I am particularly pleased as many of our pupils are boarders, so being able to offer this opportunity is fantastic.
"Horse riding, and show jumping would not have been possible for many of our pupils, had they not come to this school."
The Gatton Park school's equestrian centre has a stable which houses 20 horses and a floodlit outdoor sand school, as well as an indoor one. Among its students, aged 7-18, it boast riders from novice to advanced standard.
For the school's inaugural event, jumps were constructed on the outdoor sand school and external riders lined up alongside pupils to compete in four jumping classes: 60cm jumps, 70cm, 75cm and 80cm.
In a successful start for Royal Alexandra and Albert students, pupils took home the winner's rosette in each round.
Lester Baylie, 11, won the first two rounds riding Achilles. He said: "I went into the competition to get a clear round, not to win, but I am really proud and happy that I did win.
"My mum said it made her Mother's Day."
His success was emulated by sixth former Elley Crittenden, who took first place in the second two classes.
Ms Economou said: "A tremendous amount of work went in to preparing for this event. We had to build the jumps, prepare the indoor and outdoor riding schools, organise catering, signage, parking, prizes plus other behind-the-scenes activities.
"It was all worthwhile as the whole day was a success, not only for our own pupils, but for visiting riders."
The next event is on June 8.
