Five young Haileybury College students have been selected to represent Victoria on the national stage after winning big in the Petstock Interschool State Championships, an event that saw 140 schools competing.
Olivia Curtain, Marley Wright, Queenie Kerr, Pearl Hodson and Zara Woods join the Victorian Equestrian Squad and compete at the prestigious Australian Interschool Equestrian Championships in November.
Success in the national championships is an important step towards representing Australia internationally and someday competing for Olympic gold.
Pearl, from Beaconsfield, was only four-years-old when she began riding her miniature Shetland pony called Kitty.
Her parents are also accomplished riders and Pearl spends about four hours a day caring for, and training, her horses.
“It is sometimes difficult to fit in homework and to study for exams with horses and I’m away at competitions most weekends.
“In winter I am usually riding well past sunset and putting horses away
in the dark and then find time to study before bed.
“My dream is to compete to the very top level of showjumping or eventing, and perhaps have the chance to represent Australia one day.”
Nicole Turner, Deputy Head of Equestrian at Haileybury, credits the commitment the girls have shown in getting them so far.
“Each of our young riders have worked very hard. They juggle school work, homework, caring for their horses and they spend hours each week practising their equestrian skills – in all weathers.”
