Distance no obstacle for school riders bound for Geelong

ABOVE: Piper Bondarenko and Nilton Mayfair represented Kardinia International College. Picture: ONE-EYED FROG

WHILE Pony Club is very popular, the rise of the interschools competitions has added another dimension for young horse riders.

Any student in prep to Year 12 who is currently enrolled in a school or is home schooled through Distance Education may compete.

Geelong Grammar’s equestrian group enables students who love to ride for competition or pleasure in all disciplines to continue their passion while they are at school and their showjumping and dressage competition in May was well attended by students from all around the state.

There were six jumping levels ranging from elite to freshmans.

Champion in the stars level was Molly Lawrence from Toorak College riding Carabel B by four points from Alice Darby on Moon Day from Ivanhoe Grammar. Both youngsters are more than competitive on the open showjumping circuit.

Zara Adnams took first and second places in the advanced section for Toorak College with Dingmac Disco King and Tallyho Primrose.

Just two points separated first and second in the intermediate level championship with St Paul's Anglican Grammar’s Kate Joyce on Wade Equine Oki Doki winning from Geelong Grammar School’s Ingrid McElvaney riding Oaks Kestrel.

Marly Wright’s Maeve Keeva Castiel from Maribyrnong Sports Academy was champion in the progressive section, with Marnie Jackson’s Karlana Ima Koolkat from Geelong College in reserve position.

The improvers champion was Georgia Joyce on Carisma Park Rose from St Paul's Anglican Grammar and Camille Mason riding Stormin Norman from Salesian College Rupertswood took home the reserve sash.

Competitors at the encourage and freshmans levels are also well catered for. Encourage champion was Olivia Anderton riding Glenmore Wyn from Edinburgh College, with Deacon Parker’s Jack In A Box from Assumption College reserve.

ABOVE Lachy Black from Gippsland Grammar on the way to a win riding Mobile App. Picture: ONE-EYED FROG

In the freshman’s, Lachy Black rode Mobile App for Gippsland Grammar to win the championship from Chelsie Hanna and Prince Bob from Briagolong Primary School.

Third placegetter in this section, Emily Stone and her pony Ace, deserve a special mention, or maybe her parents do, as it’s a fair trip from Cobram Anglican Grammar School to Geelong. (Well done!)

Toorak College won the teams trophy from Assumption College and St Paul's Anglican Grammar.

In dressage, the small tour championship placings were just a point apart with Bella Plumridge on Illawong Harvest Moon from Yarra Valley Grammar, Felicity Sutherland on Estee from Braemar College and Lucy Coventry on Quizzical of Toorak College all scoring strongly in their tests.

The advanced champion, Rosemary Heagney riding Redgum James 007 from Kardinia International College, and runner up Keeley Sutton on Sandon Grove Edward from Beaconhills College were equally close.

Shayleigh Joblin on Grenwood Romeo won the medium championship for Geelong College, and in the elementary section, the champion Bianca Griffiths was another who made a long trip worthwhile, coming from NSW to take the win riding Envyious Philino for Finley High School.

The novice champion was Pip Crawford riding Spyderman SW for Geelong Grammar in the seniors, Morgan Cockerell on Monteith from Brunton Grovedale College in the intermediate and Abbey Restall on Hawkesbury Park Poetry from Toorak College in the primary section.

Preliminary winners were Darcy Macaulay and Parklands Faltango of Assumption College in the senior section, Nina Ryssenbeek and Treasured BP Hewitt from Braemar College in the intermediate and the primary winner was Amelia Maree on Tanlee Raphael from Pleasant Street Primary School.

Lucinda Cooper riding KRP Bonanza from St Mary MacKillop Primary School (Bannockburn) was the preparatory champion and Toorak College took home the team trophy.

GALLERY

(Click any image to expand)

ABOVE: All images ONE-EYED FROG

1. Toorak College team work.

2. Tilda McKay and Party Thyme Gatsby from Geelong Grammar

3. Pip Crawford and Spyderman SW from Geelong Grammar

4. Harley McNaughton and Glenbrooke Archie Bunker of Chairo Christian School

Full results

View and purchase ONE-EYED FROG images from this event

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