Student Scoop 2023
Articles written and shared by students about their experiences and achievements.
Written by Billie Hughes 9MCW:
In October last year, I qualified in the Rider 12 to 15 years class at the NZ Show Horse Council Show, to compete in the Australasian Show Horse Council Grand Nationals 2023. This is held at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre, Sydney, Australia where you ride against the best from Australia, Singapore, Manilla and New Zealand.
In April we travelled to Sydney, as part of the team of 14 New Zealand riders from all over the country. I also had some gorgeous NZ friends come to be my cheerleaders.
It is just massive over there. The atmosphere, the people, the facilities, the judges, the numbers of riders, the arenas, the quality of horses and the size of the event. It's just so hard to describe. It's a feeling. You just are there riding against Australia’s best (and NZ’s) and being in awe of their riding, turn out, work ethic and competition strategies.
I also can’t forget warming up with kangaroos jumping across our path and snakes hiding in the walls!! We were privileged enough to have the most amazing catch ride Robbie, who travelled 12 hours from Queensland, with the most amazing family.
My rider class was a massive class of 39 riders. We had to execute an individual work out, which was run in 3 heats and 2 group workouts. When we all lined up for the final inspection and judging, the class went from one end of the SIEC indoor arena to the other.
I was privileged to be awarded the prestigious Molly Lord Memorial award. This is a yearly presentation at the Grand Nationals, for the most promising rider and a rider that shows great sportsmanship. I must admit I was overjoyed and cried.
The award is in memory of Linda Goldspink-Lord daughter Molly Lord. She was an Australian show rider who had a tragic accident when she was my age. I was privileged to meet Linda, Mollys Mum and she said, ‘my kindness to the pony, lovely connection with him, rider capability and positive interactions with the other riders, reminded her of her daughter’. I am so proud to have reflected the values of sportsmanship that Linda and the English judges were looking for.
So proud to be a kiwi and to have worn the Silver Fern for the first time. Looking forward to competing the same horse, Robbie, at Ekka in Brisbane this August.
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