No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the Saddle

THE EQUESTRIAN CLUB AT UVA HILLS

                 The S.Thomas’ College Gurutalawa Equestrian Club took up again on the 23^rd of April 2007 after few years of dormancy with the generous donation of the horses named “Hope”, “Faith”, “Charity” and” Scoobydoo  by Mr. Jaques Hugerbert (2006-2008) who was the patron and the acting headmaster at that time. Afterwards the club was functioning smoothly with the help of the riding instructor Mr. Sampath Jayanath and Rev. Father Marc Billimoria Former headmaster of STC Guru. (2007-2011) During that time we have participated in many competitions at Premadasa Riding School in Nugegoda and we were able to win many Golds, Silvers and Bronze Medals under A, B, C categories. Moreover, In 2009 we participated in several Horse Races at Thissamaharama and won two First places. (Sri Lanka Lottery Board Cup and Sri Lanka Rupavahini Cup ridden by Mr. Sampath-The Coach, Horse-Scoobydoo at S. Thomas College,) 

The reopening of the new classy stable building on the 17^th  of February 2017 was a remarkable event during the period of Headmaster Rev. Father Nihal Fernando (2011 – 2018). It was built with the generous donation of Rs. 1.5 Million by Mr. Ranjith Gunaratne a distinguished old boy of the College.  

Ven. Father S.P. Nesakumar the present Headmaster ( from 2018) is  giving his ultimate support to the club so that we were able to participate at the Dressage Competitions at Premadasa Riding School in Nugegoda and win Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals. Also we were able to take part at the Show Jumping Competitions organized by Diyatalawa SLMA with horse “Angel” for the first time  and was able to bring much reputation to the college.

Till now we take the pride as the only school with Horse Riding in Sri Lanka where the special events like the Annual Cricket Encounter Rally, Annual Prize Giving, Sports meet, Chapel Festivals and the College’s  Anniversary walk are always been coloured up by the horses.

Finally I’d like to express my gratitude to our donors, previous and present Headmasters, College Sport unit, The tutorial admimistrative and Support Staff, The previous and present groomers and All the Previous and the present Members of the  Club, Parents and Specially the President of Sri lanka Equestrian Federation Mr. Suranjith Premadasa and Mrs. Thiloshini Abeysekara and the staff at Premadasa Riding School Nugegoda and President and the board of Nuwara-eliya Royal Turf Club, the Commadant and Major Udaratage, the officials of  Sri Lanka Military Academy and Sri Lanka Mounted Police. Especially the Trainer Mr. S.D.Lalith and the crew and all clubs and societies who supported me all the years through.

Thank you!

K.M.C.Jayanath (Sampath),

Riding Instructor,

S.Thomas College- Gurutalawa.