Meet Rising Star... Madison Ovington

Madison and JL Country Charm (owned by Kayla Booth) after winning Show Hunter Pony at 2011 Grand Nationals.  This harmonious pair also won Champion Part APSB at this year's Sydney Royal (photo: SWD Images)

Madison riding Morningside Step Ahead to Supreme Champion Ridden

Madison and Falconhurst Vanity Fair at 2009 Sydney Royal

Madison and Creswell Hansel (owned by Pippa Ayrton and family) winning Open Child's Pony at 2010 All Welsh Show

This week we commence our new series 'Rising Stars', which will celebrate up and coming youngsters of the horse world and their achievements.

To start us off we meet amazingly accomplished 11 year old, Madison Ovington, who at such a young age, is already a star, having won at most major shows across the country! Madison is a very dedicated and hard working young horsewoman, which is proven by her success in the show ring on several different ponies.

 

Madison, how old were you when you first started riding and showing?

I have been riding since I was three and was competing at shows at five.

 

Can you tell us about your major horse related achievements so far?

The achievements I'm most proud of are winning the following events:

• Champion Pony Club Rider under 17 at 2009 Sydney Royal when I 9 years old (riding Falconhurst Vanity Fair).
• Supreme Champion Rider at the 2010 ESH Championships at Hawksbury.
• Supreme Champion Ridden at 2010 Gundagai and Hawkesbury Shows on Morningside Step Ahead.
• Champion Open Child's Pony on Creswell Hansel (owned by Pippa Ayrton and family) at the 2010 NSW Annual All Welsh Show
• Show Hunter Pony at 2011 Grand Nationals and Champion Part APSB at 2011 Sydney Royal Show with J L Country Charm (owned by Kayla Booth).
• Champion Ridden Shetland Exhibit at Sydney Royal 2011 (riding Fenwick Othello)

I like them all but my favourite ponies would have to be Falconhurst Vanity Fair, who took me to many champion rider wins and my current pony Morningside Step Ahead, who has taken me to the next level thanks to owner Mrs Andrea Roberts.

I look up to Edward Gal (World class European Dressage Rider) and Jess Stalling, who I would rate as one of the best allround riders in Equestrian and hope to be as good as her one day. 

I would love to win the Garryowen and compete at the highest level of dressage. Although I'm only 11 years old, I think I'm very focused on achieving my long term goals and dreams and always work hard to improve my performance.

My mum has always been a big help and I would like to thank her for helping me get this far!  I am also very appreciative of the sponsorship I receive from Donna Taff of Gallery Equine (Showstoppers). I realise I am very lucky to attract sponsorship (and such outstanding riding attire) at such a young age. It makes me strive that much harder to repay the faith showed in me by Donna.