The pupil from Melrose expressed his excitement at being chosen to compete for his country on the world stage.
“It’s what I’ve been working towards my entire life,” Jacob said. “The European Championships earlier this summer were a fantastic stepping stone to reach this point.”
Ready to represent Team GB
Jacob’s journey into Pentathlon began by chance alongside his older brother Blake, sparked by their shared passion for horseback riding. The brothers last competed together in the summer of 2022 at the World and European Laser-Run Championships before Blake left Strathallan to start his studies at the University of Edinburgh.
“Competing at the Worlds is something my brother Blake and I always aimed for,” Jacob said. “Now that I have the chance to compete, it’s truly amazing.”
Despite setbacks due to injuries, Jacob has been on a winning streak recently, securing victory at the Royal Windsor Horse Show Tetrathlon for Team Scotland in 2023 and finishing just outside the top 20 at the European U17 Pentathlon Championships in Ankara this July.
Reflecting on his experience, Jacob added, “Turkey was my first international competition, and I gained a lot from it. I just missed out on reaching the final, so competing at Worlds will be the biggest event of my life.”
Strathallan’s Headmaster, Mark Lauder, praised Jacob’s efforts: “Jacob’s determination and perseverance have paid off. He has worked relentlessly to reach this level while continuing his studies at school. Competing at the World Championships is a huge achievement, and we couldn’t be prouder. He’s shown what it means to never give up, and we’re all rooting for him.”
The UIPM 2024 Pentathlon U17 World Championships will take place from September 10th - 15th in Caldas Da Rainha, Portugal.
