A Denbighshire high school student who has competed at showjumping events since the age of three helped his team win joint second place at the international Grand Prix Classic competition in Fontainebleau, France.

Iwan Carpenter, 14, attends Denbigh High School where he has been celebrated for his success at this recent event.

As part of the British Children’s Nation’s Cup team, Iwan took the anchor role and achieved a double clear, one of only three in the competition, on Merllyn’s Chacco B his mother’s eight-year-old bay gelding. He was the only rider to provide a clear round in the first half of the competition.

This clear run, led the team to a second place finish which they shared with the Netherlands, behind Germany who took pole position.

Iwan, who hails from Babell, Holywell, comes from a family with show jumping in their blood. By the age of 12 his father, David, was on the Welsh team competing at British Showjumping events and has been riding ever since.

His mother, Amanda, started out as a showjumping groom and started showjumping at the age of 18, going on to win numerous national ladies championship titles. Amanda is a qualified British Showjumping Level 3 coach and teaches across the UK as well as training her three sons Morgan, Iwan and Owen, and the family’s 18 horses and ponies. She also manages the yard and staff.

Both Iwan’s older brother, Morgan, who is now at Bangor university studying Bio Chemistry, and younger brother, Owen, are talented riders and compete at high level national and international competitions.

Iwan’s ‘Taid’, called John, plays a big role in the family’s lives too. The sprightly 73 year old has been a prolific supporter of British Showjumping for over forty years and drives the huge 6 horse 22 ton wagon to take his grandsons to all the shows.

Proud mum, Amanda, said: “We would like to say a big thank you to Denbigh High School for allowing Iwan the time for training and competitions, particularly Mr Ryan, Head of Year, and the head teacher Dr Paul Evans, who have been so supportive.

“Iwan doesn’t get away lightly while he’s away from school though! We ensure that he completes a log for each event, maps out the route, learns about the history of the place, and makes sure everything is organised from an admin side, including writing and sending out thank you letters. These tasks combine English, maths, and history skills as well as developing communication and interpersonal skills which all help to keep him up to speed and minimise any time he might lose in the classroom.”

Dr Paul Evans, headteacher, said: “We are all very proud of Iwan and his magnificent achievement at this high-profile event.

“He and his brothers have an obvious talent for show jumping which is great to see and I am confident that their conscientious attitude to maintaining their sport and keeping abreast of their studies will ensure Iwan and Owen will do very well in the future, as has Morgan. Our congratulations go out to the family.”

Iwan also competed in the recent Outdoor Wierden & Dutch Youngster Festival, Holland where he achieved fourth place out of 80 riders. He is now waiting to find out whether he will be selected for the European Finals in Fontainebleau next month.

The family are looking for sponsors to help support with costs and would be interested to talk to any local organisations and businesses about working together. To discuss possible opportunities, please contact Amanda Carpenter on 07984870905.