Queensland’s Gemma Creighton has been awarded with a Rising Star Award by Womensport Queensland.

 

Her father and coach, Guy Creighton, competed at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal and the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. Gemma’s carving out a name for herself in the junior ranks. Since finishing school she’s now riding and competing full time with the hope of following in his footsteps. 

 

“It’s been my goal ever since I can remember. When I was little, my parents tried to interest me in hacking, because I was too young to compete in showjumping. But I’d just get bored and end up sneaking out of the show ring and popping over a practice jump,” she said.

 

She’s been touted as one of Australia’s best up‐and‐coming showjumpers after taking out the National Young showjump Riders series. Her father Guy said he was extremely pleased with the achievement.

 

“There’s plenty of talent in the junior ranks and she was competing against some really classy and expensive horses – some imported from Europe. She got there through hard work and determination. Last year she was juggling school around her riding commitments and we were really pleased when she jumped the four clear rounds needed to collect the series title,” he said.

 

The title automatically secured her a place in the National Youth Squad, a prestigious coup for any young rider with Olympic stars in their eyes. She had two horses in the top ten and is one of 16 riders in the country to have earned themselves a spot in the squad.