More than 140 young riders have braved the weekend’s wintry weather to compete in the Elmore Equestrian Club interschool competition.
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Riders in prep right through to those attending university are competing in the two-day event, which wraps up on Sunday.
Qualifying riders will go on to compete at the state interschool competition in Werribee next year.
The two-day event includes dressage, showing, show jumping, handy mount and combined training, as well as a games course for fun.
“It’s been good, all the kids have been amazing really,” event director Lisa Maud said on Saturday afternoon.
Mrs Maud said the competition, now in its second year, was established because she felt there was a need for an event of its kind in the area.
It meant young riders of the area did not need to travel to compete, she said, herself having had to travel around the state to ensure her children had the opportunity.
But it is not only local riders who have been drawn in by the event, with competitors coming from as far afield as Mornington and Mildura,
“It’s actually ended up bigger than we thought,” Mrs Maud said.
She said the event was not only a boon for the club, which puts money from the event back into improving the equestrian park at Elmore, but benefited the town as a whole, with riders and their families spending the weekend in the area.
The Axedale events committee and the Rochester Pony Club have helped with the catering, giving them the opportunity to generate some money.
Eight-year-old Alana Fletcher, from Taradale, is among the riders taking part in the competition on her horse Del Lee Vaughan, competing in the dressage and handy mount events.
Alana said she did not know what her favourite event was, but she did know what she loved about riding.
“That you get to canter them,” she said.
Sienna Powell, also 8, has travelled from Croydon North to compete.
She has been riding for about 18 months and this year’s interschool event is her first, with dressage, handy mount and combined training on the agenda.
Sienna said she loved “basically everything” about riding, but dressage was her favourite event because of the different tests and the opportunity to learn.
Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
