Aussies Reign Supreme at Annual Inter Country Young Rider Challenge

Aussie Flag (photos: www.anniestudholme.com)

Zoe Boulton riding Critter

Brittany Whelan on Tiki Taane

The winning Victorian Team

It came down to a nail-biting finish, but in the end, honours in this year’s annual Inter Country Young Rider Challenge lie squarely with the Victorian youngsters taking home the Juliet Scott Trophy.

Held as part of the South Canterbury North Otago Area ESNZ 2* show, the Victorian team of Kristy Haworth, Jonathan Smith, Melissa Julius and Zoe Boulton got off to a great start on day one finishing on a two-round score of zero for their top three riders.

The South Island team of Katie Meredith (Ohoka), Devon Van Til (Rangiora), Olivia Robertson (Ohoka) and Brittany Whelan (Dunedin) looked impressive in the first round producing a faultless effort with all four riders going clear, but unfortunately their opening luck wasn’t to last.

In the second round against the clock, Meredith chalked up 13 faults early. Clear rounds from the Aussies left the South Islander’s little option but to go for time. Robertson chased hard, she finished more than five seconds up on the clock but paid for it with a rail down leaving the Aussies with four faults in-hand going into today’s competition.

Riding new horses, the competition was close from the outset; Kath Ward-Smith’s testing course challenging riders from all angles. At the end of the first round, the Victorians still held a four-fault advantage, but three clear rounds in the second from the South Islanders applied the pressure. It all rested on the Aussie’s final rider Melissa Julius on Depardieu who took an unlucky rail, drawing the two teams’ level, forcing a jump-off to decide the victors.

Both teams selected one rider to ride off against the clock over a tight, twisty track. The South Island team was first out with Whelan riding team-mate Olivia Robertson’s speed-demon Tiki Taane. Whelan went for the doctor taking many tight lines, jumping clear and stopping the clock in a super impressive 41.93. Victory looked within the Kiwi’s grasp, but 19-year-old Boulton, riding Meredith’s Critter, had other ideas. A well-known speed horse, Critter rose to the occasion giving Boutlon a perfect ride, jumping clear in a speedy time of 40.53 to give the Aussies the win.

Victorian coach Paul Williams was thrilled with his young charges. “We didn’t come here for a holiday but the result is only a bonus. It has been a fantastic competition, and the hospitality we have received has been first rate.”

Despite the result, South Island team manager Selina Baddeley said it was a wonderful end to what had been a great competition. “They all rode extremely well.”

The South Island has been involved in the Inter-Country Teams Challenge since it was developed by the EFA Victorian Showjumping committee in 2003. A fierce rivalry has developed between Victoria and the South Island over the years, with the exchange been hosted annually by each country.

The competition was designed to give Young Riders (21 years and under) valuable experience in the format of Team competition, which will stand them in good stead for National Senior Team events such as the Olympics and World Equestrian Games. It also serves as important way to develop the strategies needed to travel and compete in a foreign country and, most importantly, to foster friendships between young riders from other countries.

Story & Photos: www.anniestudholme.com