2016 Interschool National Championships
A Team of 94 Queensland riders from Primary and Secondary schools across the state had a long drive to the Sydney International Equestrian Centre to compete at the 2016 Interschool National Titles. The majority of them took 2 days to arrive giving their very precious four legged friends a welcome overnight stop on route.
The competition was hosted by the NSW Interschool committee over 4 very full days at the wonderful Olympic centre. It was a thrill for the majority of the riders to be on the grounds that many of the current Australian Equestrian Olympians had competed on. For all the riders this is the highest level of competition possible in the Interschool association. For the Year 12 riders it was their last chance to compete for the state and their schools.
So the Interschool Equestrian ‘Olympics’ started with an opening ceremony when all the states were presented to each other and welcomed to SIEC by the organising committee. The national anthem was sung and the competition started in earnest on the Monday morning.
The five disciplines were Combined Training, Dressage, Eventing, Show Horse and Show Jumping. Queensland was extremely well represented in each discipline and classes and the riders showed their prowess in the saddle. As competitors they were determined to do well not only for themselves but also as part of the Queensland Team. It was not hard to see the stunning newly designed maroon uniform being worn with pride everywhere you looked.
The senior leaders under the direction of Madison Searle and Jedd Johnston were in their element. No errand, assistance or calming word was too much for them and they all managed their respective rider groups with empathy. Their prime reason for being at SIEC though was to compete for the last time and they all rode to the very of their ability gaining very satisfying results and showing the way for the 2017 leaders.
As a team the spirit was really high and it showed in all aspects of the championships. Their support of each other was commendable, as was the support from all the parents and managers. The Teamwork was absolutely outstanding and they all deserve the accolade of – Best Team. The Team is everyone who was in the Queensland camp and without a doubt everyone contributed.
The Managers – Cindy Coggan- Show Horse, Emma Flegman- Dressage, Monique Searle-Eventing, Susan Donald- Combined Training, Tracey Sexton- Show Jumping under the leadership of the Qld Team Manager, Nick Ballard, did a wonderful job ensuring all the riders were informed, assisted and able to ride to the best of their ability. It was even more special as they themselves had riders of their own to look after on various days.
The parents deserve a special mention. As we all recognise this sport cannot happen without their full time help. To take a minimum of 8 days out of their busy lives and work is very difficult but somehow they all manage it and give their daughters and sons every assistance.
Overall the Queensland Team placed 3rd behind NSW. We had some excellent individual results and all the riders should be very pleased with their final placings. The perspective on this is that they were competing against the best Australian Interschool riders so were in top company. Congratulations to all the riders on their personal achievements. We hope that they will strive for success again next year when Queensland host the event.
“Winning doesn’t always mean being first, winning means you are doing better than you’ve done before.”
The official results are currently being uploaded to the Equestrian NSW website. All results can be found HERE.
Once again – Congratulations Queensland Interschool Riders, parents and committee on an excellent week at SIEC.
To all the riders :- “Take pride in how far you have come. Have faith in how far you can go.”
Anna Starosta
Chef D’Equipe
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