Madeline Returns Home a Champion after Pony Club Australia National Championships

Madeline Prell

NSW Pony Club President Dianne Cullen, NSW Junior Tetrathlon team, Tom Pearce, Tom Read, Kynan Trotter and Madeline Prell

Madeline Prell and her horse Coolaroo Scamp competing

Madeline Prell member of the Pony Club NSW Junior Dressage, Showjumping and Tetrathlon team has returned home from competing in the Pony Club Australia National Championships in Western Australia a champion. 

Thirteen riders representing NSW travelled to compete in the National Championships held at the Western Australia State Equestrian Centre, Brigadoon, from the 26 to the 30 September 2013.

It was a long journey to get to Western Australia, the 3, 824km trip took many weeks of planning as Madeline, her mother, horse Scamp and another mother and daughter team decided to make the trip together. 

The convoy left on the 15^th September and soon all the hard work involved with planning the trip was forgotten as the journey turned into the experience of a lifetime. “I loved the trip across Australia, seeing whales and the Nullarbor,” exclaimed Madeline.

Here Madeline describes her experience in detail, “We reached the Head of the Great Australian Bight where there was a whale watching lookout, so we walked downand to our surprise saw about eightwhales and their calves! That night we stayed in our swags on the Nullarbor at a truck-stop after crossing the South Australia, Western Australiaborder.”

After arriving in Western Australia, Madeline’s horse Scamp enjoyed a few days rest before the start of the Nationals competition. Entered in three events Madeline had a full schedule on each day of the competition, with either a Dressage test or a Showjumping round, and on most afternoons a phase of the Tetrathlon. Tetrathlon involves four elements, rifle target shooting from 30 metres, running 1.5km, ride a 600m course with showjumping fences and swim the furthest distance in four minutes. The NSW Tetrathlon Junior team consisted of three Mounted Games boys, Kynan Trotter, Tom Pearce, Thomas Read and Madeline Prell.

Madeline Prell and her horse Coolaroo Scamp from Crookwell Pony Club achieved outstanding results and the status of Pony Club Australia National Junior Showjumping Champion, second in the Junior Tetrathlon team and third in the Junior Dressage team. 

“Thank you to everyone that has helped the team and I get to WA, I had a fantastic time but could not have done it without the help of local and state sponsors. This was my first Pony Club Nationals and I absolutely loved it and strongly recommend it to anyone wanting to represent NSW and gain some unforgettable memories. I am forever grateful to all of those who gave me their support, I am sure it was that support which helped Scamp and I over those high jumps, thanks to you I had the opportunity to represent the state on the other side of the country. I have wonderful memories of a wonderful journey,” said Madeline.

Madeline’s advice for young pony club members hoping to follow in her footsteps? “Set goals to work towards and really commit yourself to them, and if you come to hurdles there is ALWAYS a way to overcome it. But most importantly enjoy the journey. The end result is great but it’s the journey that really counts.”

What great advice, congratulations Madeline and all of the NSW State Team, we wish you all the best in achieving your future goals.

The Pony Club Association of is supported by Sport and Recreation a division of Communities NSW, Flamtree Inc, Mitavite official feed partner, Global Entries Online, Resort Trailers Queanbeyan, Ranvet, Club Colours Direct and other local sponsors.

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