Meet Rising Star... Gina Youles - from the Winning Australian Team at International Mounted Games Exchange

The Australian Team - winners of the 2013 International Mounted Games Exchange in Canada

The team at Horsezone is keen to find out more about what young riders are up to and how they are working towards achieving their horsey goals. The juniors are the future of all horse sports, so in our opinion they are VIPs!

This week we catch up with 16 year old Gina Youles from Kilcoy, Queensland.

Gina lives on a former dairy farm that is now focused mainly on beef cattle. Gina has had a horse by her side all her life, having learned to ride to help out with work around the farm at a very young age. The next step in Gina's amazing horsey journey is a trip to Canada to represent Queensland in the Australian team at the International Mounted Games Exchange. (SEE BELOW FOR UPDATE)

We caught up with Gina to find out more...

How did you first become involved with horses?

I was lucky enough to grow up on a farm, which means that I have been around horses my whole life. I started riding when I was about two years old and have been doing pony club since I was three. I was never on a lead-line because my grandmother, who was the secretary of Kilcoy Pony Club at the time, insisted that if you were going to ride you had to be able to do it yourself, so I did. 

What horse sports do you compete in?

My favourite horse sports are Sporting, Mounted Games and Campdrafting.

Why do you love these sports?

I have been competing in Sporting and Campdrafting since I was very young and I love all the people that also compete in these sports, because they are friendly and laid back, unlike some of the other sports. In the last couple of years I started competitive mounted games riding and I love it so much because it is a team sport and you make tons of new friends every competition, and you are always learning something new. 

Tell us about your horses?

Throughout my life I have ridden many, many horses but my favourite would have to be my horse, Honey (original name, I know). Even though she can be a bit of a handful, she has brought me so far and taught me so much. I have competed interstate on her multiple times and was very successful on each occasion. I have always loved horses and always will, but this horse made me love them even more.

What are some of the challenges you face with training and competing?

Now that I'm in my senior years at High School, it is becoming increasingly difficult to compete and train, because along with school work and household chores, I also have to help my father on the property on weekends and days off now that my brother is out of school and has a job. But despite it all, even though I don't get to many competitions anymore, when I do go I make the most of it and have a great time, and always strive to do my best.

What achievement, so far, are you most proud of?

I have competed successfully at several state championships and at the Nationals for Mounted Games in 2012. Then at the end of last year I got life changing news, I had been selected to compete for Australia in Canada for the International Mounted Games Exchange. I am so proud to be representing my country and it has been my dream since I was little to do so, and I don't think it has sunk in that it is really happening.

Who are your role models?

My biggest role models are my friends and family, that might seem cheesy but they are supportive of everything I do and are always by my side motivating me and inspiring me to always do my best and have fun while I'm doing it.

What advice can you give to other young people wanting to get involved with horses?

The best advice I could give to anyone who is interested in starting with horses is: through all the falls, competition and stress never forget what horse riding is all about - having fun. Always enjoy yourself and make as many friends as possible because otherwise in the future you'll look back and realise that you could of had so much fun, but you were too worried about getting a trophy.

What are you most looking forward to?

In the short-term I am definitely looking forward to my trip to Canada in August and meeting our team and all the other competitors from around the world (SEE BELOW FOR MORE ON THIS). I am also looking forward to the Pony Club Queensland State Sporting, Campdrafting and Mounted Games Championship in October at Paradise Lagoons. In the long-term I intend on getting my instructor's certificate and help teach everything that I have learned throughout my travels to the younger riders and give back to the sports that gave me so much joy and sense of achievement.

Is there a horse sport you'd love to try?

I'd love to try Polocrosse because it seems like heaps of fun and a great learning experience.

If you could have a ride on any horse in the world - who would it be?

I would have loved to have ridden Warribri.

How do you spend your spare time?

(Spare time? What is that again? haha) Generally, apart from school, I spend all my time with my horses, whether it is mustering with dad, breaking in young horses or at pony club, all my time is devoted to working with horses. I very rarely go shopping or go out with friends, some people say I have no life, but I beg to differ my horses are my everything.

Do you have any other animals besides your horses?

I have five working dogs and I now have four puppies, three cats, tons of chooks, cows and pigs. Can you tell I love animals?

What is your favourite:

movie?

Red Dog

song?

Chicken Fried - Zac Brown Band

food?

Lasagne, pizza, sausages (or just food in general)

Where would you like to be in 10 years?

I would like to be working on my own farm enjoying everyday's ups and downs and feeling sorry for everyone who is working in an office while I'm out in the bush, riding my horses and loving life.

Shout out to supporters?

I love you all so much! I would never ever be here without you and I appreciate everything you do for me!

Thanks so much for your time Gina! We wish you all the best of luck in Canada and look forward to hearing about your adventures.

UPDATE AFTER THE INTERNATIONAL MOUNTED GAMES EXCHANGE!

Gina contacted us on her return to Australia, after three and a half weeks in Canada, with the great news that Australia won the International Mounted Games Exchange! Go Aussies!

Riding borrowed horses, which were mainly mixed breed ponies, the Aussie team competed in over 20 events to clinch the title from the other teams, which were from Britain, Canada and the USA.

Gina commented that the Australian team worked really well together, which definitely helped contribute to their win.

All teams in the Mounted Games Exchange then spent time doing a horse-themed tour around Canada together, which was highly enjoyable and enabled everyone to get to know each other.

They also got to meet a lot of Canadian horse people, participate in pony club events, trail riding and go fox hunting, where they rode Percheron and Clydesdale cross horses.

Gina was so excited to have been part of this amazing event and thrilled not just with the success of the Australian team, but with the opportunity to make so many new friends from all over the world.

Quick Links

• View Pony Club horses for sale on Horsezone
• Visit the Canadian Pony Club website to find out more about the International Mounted Games Exchange