Hartpury Rowing has celebrated one of its most successful appearances at the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta, with a series of historic achievements underlining the strength of the institution’s rowing programme.
Across the week, Hartpury recorded a number of significant firsts, including its first boys’ crew to reach a semi-final, its first current athlete to contest a final since 2017, and the first Hartpury B crew ever to qualify for the regatta. The girls’ B quad also became the only second boat in the Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup to progress through to racing on the Thursday of the regatta.
Leading the way was current BSc (Hons) Bioveterinary Science student Ellie Dash, who was involved in a Great Britain Development Boat competing in the Princess of Wales Challenge Cup. Ellie and her crew defeated Nereus Netherlands in their opening race before overcoming Skøll Netherlands in the semi-finals to secure a place in the final. They ultimately finished runners-up to Reading University, with Ellie becoming the first current Hartpury athlete to reach a Henley Royal Regatta final since 2017.
Hartpury’s boys’ A quad, coached by Tom Jenkinson and comprising Gethin Balkwill, Dan Page, Max Fullman and Alex Judd, all A-level students, enjoyed an outstanding campaign in the Fawley Challenge Cup. After receiving a bye into the second round, they defeated Aramoho Whanganui of New Zealand before overcoming Marlow Rowing Club in the quarter-finals. Their impressive run came to an end in the semi-finals against Tideway Scullers, marking the furthest a Hartpury boys’ crew has ever progressed at the regatta.
The girls’ A quad, coached by Ben Smeeton and featuring Tilly Hudson-Hulls, Grace Janes, Daniela Raguckaite and Rosemary McGregor, also delivered a strong performance in the Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup. Following a bye into the Thursday racing, they defeated Wallingford Rowing Club before narrowly missing out to Marlow Rowing Club in the quarter-finals. Marlow would go on to win the event.
Another piece of Hartpury history came from the girls’ B quad of Faith Thorpe-Williams, Paige Darnley, Evie Jenkins and Harriet Bray, coached by Karrie Spencer. The crew became the first Hartpury B boat ever to qualify for Henley Royal Regatta after successfully progressing through the qualification regatta. They then defeated Oundle School in the opening round before bowing out to Maidenhead Rowing Club on the Thursday, having become the only B crew in their event to progress that far.
The boys’ B quad of Dylan Balkwill, Ollie Leppert, Sam Humphrey and Gabe Read, coached by Antonio Frances-Rees, narrowly missed out on qualification for the regatta after competing in the qualifying event.
Hartpury’s impact extended beyond its current student-athletes, with alumni continuing to excel on one of rowing’s biggest stages. George Reed won the Ladies’ Challenge Plate with Leander Club, Elliott Donovan-Davies claimed victory in the Prince of Wales Challenge Cup with Leander Club, while Jenny Bates reached the final of the Queen Victoria Cup. Chloe Sheppard and Katie Gardner also progressed to the final of the Island Challenge Cup representing Washington University.
In total, around 14 Hartpury alumni competed across the regatta, representing leading universities and senior clubs from across the UK and internationally.
Tom Jenkinson, Lead Coach at the Hartpury Rowing Academy said: “These performances continue an exceptional season for Hartpury Rowing and reflect the strength of the programme in developing athletes capable of competing with the very best junior and university crews from around the world.
“I also want to thank Hengistbury for their valued sponsorship of the female pathway, having supported the Girls A and Girls B campaign for the regatta.”
