Snowy Mountains Grammar School Equestrian Competition Biggest Ever At New Venue

Photos: Hannah Sugerman

The 2013 Snowy Mountains Interschools' Equestrian Competition has exceeded expectations to attract more competitors and spectators than ever before.

Riders travelled from as far away as Sydney, as well as the South Coast, South Western and Monaro regions to fill the spacious venue and the standard of riding was impressive. 

Event organiser is Director of Sport and Operations at SMGS Sue West  and she says the move to the Station Resort at Jindabyne means more space, and as a result there were 160 riders from more than 40 schools.

The overall winner of the schools trophy was SMGS, a wonderful result for the hosts of the event which is a highlight of the school’s calendar each year.

“We are unique in that we have so many student volunteers who are not horse riders, who simply come to support their school and learn about running an event,” says Mrs West.

“Students from SMGS do all the pencilling, marshalling and set up and pack up for the event. They also help in the office, the canteen and generally with all the behind the scenes work that characterises an event of this calibre and size.”

The event is valuable because it showcases some of the abilities and talents of SMGS, and it also brings people to the Monaro region.

Mrs West staged the first SMGS gymkhana 14 years ago after the school’s horse riders were rejected entry into an ACT equestrian event because they were from interstate.

“The first competition was a very simple affair which I designed to not lose or make any money,’ she says.

 “It was held at Jindabyne Pony Club grounds as a single day event.”

Fast forward to 2013, and the event is now held over three days and has grown and moved, out to Dalgety Showground and then back to Jindabyne and the Station his year.

It is a mandatory equestrian event for those who take their riding seriously.

“For many riders it has become a tradition to work all year toward our competition, and over the years we have seen many schools develop riding uniforms and the team aspect of the event has become very strong,” says Mrs West.

She says she expects the event will soon become part of a series of competitions similar to those which are now run for snowsports - with regional, state and national competitions for riders.

Apart from the overall event winner, the prizes were shared across a number of schools, with a strong showing for students from the Snowy Mountains region.

Smartest School on parade went to the team from Marulan Public School

The overall individual high point score winner from the three days of competition was Jessica Clarke (Year 4) from Wolumla Primary School.

Age group high point winners were:

Lauren Wheeler, SMGS, Yr 11/12

Samantha Rudd, Loreto Normanhurst, Yr 9/10

Sarah Davies, St Clares Canberra, Yr 7/8

Caitlin Reid, Bermagui Primary School, Yr 5/6

JessicaClarke Wolumla Primary SchoolYr 3/4

Brooke Ellis from St Josephs Primary School Connor ACT, Yr K/2

IndiannaBurke Jindabyne Central School, Assisted primary rider.

The team of four riders was won by the girls from Monaro High School.