A GROUP of young riders from the Moree district will represent New South Wales at the Marcus Oldham College Australian Interschool Equestrian Championships at Tamworth next week.

Alec Dunlop, Kate McDonald, Lucy Doolin and Lola Barwick will join hundreds of young riders from around the country at the Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre in Tamworth from September 19 to September 23.

Alec and Kate, both 11, are Moree Public School Year 6 students, and 11-year-old Lucy is in Year 6 at North Star Public School.

Lucy placed first on Royal Quest in primary 80cm combined training at the NSW State Interschools Championships, with Alec second on Aratahnes Graphic, affectionately known as ‘Duges’, and Kate third on Remembrance Day (Benny).

Lola, from Gravesend, is a Year 11 student at Presbyterian Ladies College in Sydney’s inner-west.

She was crowned champion astronomical showjumper at the North West Equestrian Expo in June.

Kate and Alec will compete in showjumping and combined training and Lola will compete in showjumping.

Lucy will compete in preliminary dressage as well as 80cm combined training.

Alec, Kate and Lucy also make up three of the four riders in the 80cm primary school combined training State team.

Lucy’s parents, Simon and Sandy, said Lucy has been competing on Royal Quest since October last year.

“But he’s been part of our family for eight years,” they said.

“Lucy is excited about putting on the New South Wales uniform and decorating the stables in blue for the event. She’s keen to see friends in the Victorian, New South Wales and Queensland teams over one week of top-level equestrian competition.”

Alec’s mum, Katrina Martin, said Alec “stole” the ride on Duges from his older sister, Annabelle, about 18 months ago.

“Alec had only performed one showjumping round at that point, but he and Duges very quickly formed a great bond,” Katrina said.

“In under 12 months they qualified for 70cm and 80cm at the State championships. It was Alec’s first Interschool State Championships and he was stoked to come away with placement on two State teams. He’s looking forward to being part of Team New South Wales at the nationals,” she said.

Kate’s mum, Syke, said Kate was excited to qualify for two events at the nationals after competing in Sydney at Easter time.

“Kate has been riding Benny for 12 months now. He is an enthusiastic pony and makes jumping fun,” Syke smiled.

Lola’s parents, Mick and Treen, said Lola was looking forward to competing at a national level.

“Lola will compete in the 110cm showjumping on her horse, Mickey, who she’s been riding for nearly two years,” they said.

The Australian Interschool Championships, hosted by Equestrian Queensland and chief sponsor Marcus Oldham College, will showcase the best young equestrian talent from across Australia competing in various disciplines.

Categories include show horse, eventing, show-jumping, dressage pas de deux and combine training.

The pas de deux uses two horses – usually mirroring each other – and perform dressage movements.

The National Championships are open to riders aged 5-18 years, with placement earned through the State Interschool Championships.

“The children are very excited to be representing their schools, towns and New South Wales at a national level, and Lola is a fantastic role model to the younger riders,” Katrina said.

“She is dedicated to her sport, despite being so far from her horse during the school term and, like her friends, is looking forward to the nationals.”

Words: Bill Poulos

Images: Courtesy of Rodney’s Photography, Eschol Park, NSW