Catriona McCallum and Cosmic Sparkling Starlight - photo courtesy Julie Wilson and Horse Deals
Emily van Sonsbeek and Marena Night Sky - photo courtesy Julie Wilson and Horse Deals
Future Champions Competed at the Victorian Interschool Championships The weather was kind to the many young equestrians who were at Werribee for the Victorian Interschool Championships from July 5th – 8th. Despite a bit of rain and some frosty mornings, the competitors, their families and supporters enjoyed a few days of great fun and equestrian sport of all types for a few days. The size and experience of the riders and their ponies varied enormously as they all strived to do their best – whether they were competing in the handy mount, dressage, combined training, jumping or many of the other events on offer for all ages and abilities. The competitors ranged from tiny tots on lead reins (you need to read An Eventful Life to hear what Sonja Johnson thinks of lead reins!) to the winner of the CCIJ* at this year’s Melbourne International Three Day Event, Ebony Toole. The main thing was that they were there to have fun with their horses and they certainly did that! Paul and Debbie Higgs were on hand on the final day to present the signed copy of the book An Eventful Life – Life Stories of Eventing Champions to the winner of the draw which people (adults and children alike!) had been putting entries in for during the four days of the event. Many parents who had already bought the book commented how happy they were to see their children enjoying reading again. One mum commented that she had not been able to get her daughter to read for years – now she couldn’t get her daughter away from “An Eventful Life”! It obviously is a great read for all ages – especially for young riders aiming to be like their heroes in the book. As Donna Crebbin from Smythesdale Pony Club wrote to me recently “The book is fantastic .......It is such an easy and intimate read about our idols” The winner of the copy of An Eventful Life signed by all of the riders covered in the book – Megan Jones, Sonja Johnson, Shane Rose, Wendy Schaeffer, Stuart Tinney and Emma Scott was Catriona McCallum of St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School in Warragul. Unfortunately Catriona was not there on the day of the draw so she will be receiving her special copy in the mail. As we thought it would be nice to have a winner on the day too, we drew again to find another winner who was present at the draw. This lucky girl was Emily van Sonsbeek from Yarra Valley Grammar School who took away not only a copy of the book but was the overall winner of the Individual Championship and helped her school win the overall Team Championship. Emily certainly was on a winning streak that week – having won or placed in most of her classes including winning the Primary Preliminary Dressage Championship on Tarragon Park Denver, 4th in the Primary Novice Dressage Championship on Marena Night Sky, 1st in the Primary Jumping 90cm on Trojan Warrior, 2nd in the Primary Jumping 80cm on Tarragon Park Denver, winner of the Combined Training 70cm on Marena Night Sky and winner of the Combined Training 80cm on Tarragon Park Denver. A busy girl and her ponies! I’m sure she will enjoy reading about how Megan, Sonja, Shane, Wendy, Stuart and Emma enjoyed their early riding days – looks like she may be on her way to joining them! More photos from the evnt can be seen on the Facebbok photo albums for An Eventful Life http://www.facebook.com/pages/An-Eventful-Life/107230505977172
