Salt Ash Pony Club may be small but if its results in the NSW State Showriding and Dressage Championships are anything to go by, it produces mighty skilled riders.
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Merewether’s Alana Buresti, 19, stared for the Salt Ash club alongside Abbey Lonsdale, 12, as they posted strong results in their divisions of the championships held at Hawkesbury Showground during the Australia Day weekend.
In the 11-13 years division, which had 33 competitors, Abbey and her Welsh Arabian pony Elmridge Roxy were named state showriding champions.
In dressage, against a field of 45, the duo from Nelsons Plains came equal eighth.
“I’m really happy with my result,” Abbey said. “I came second last year and wanted to do better, and I did.”
Alana and her Australian stock horse Barnett’s Dynasty won a first and second placing in the showriding associate division (17-25 year olds).
Against a field of 35, they placed sixth overall in dressage. Alana, who lives in Merewether Heights but travels to Williamtown every day to tend to her horse, said she was also happy with her results.
Salt Ash Pony Club president Lisa Gregory said the outcome was “super”.
“The results the girls got, we didn’t really expect them,” she said. “We knew they’d do well, but those results were a good surprise.”
Abbey and Alana have been members of the Salt Ash Pony Club for six and 11 years respectively. In that time Abbey has competed at seven championships and Alana eight.
In April, Alana will travel to Germany for eight months to work in a dressage barn.
A “once in a lifetime opportunity”, Alana will add to her equine resume, which also includes a Certificate III in stock horse breeding and training.
While working at the barn in Hamburg, Alana will learn different ways to ride and train horses.
Abbey’s next major competition will be the 2018 State Sporting, Campdraft and Team Penning Championships in Dorigo.
Salt Ash Pony Club will host a join up day at Alexander Park in Salt Ash on Sunday, February 11.
The park can be found along Richardson Road. The gates will be open from 8am.
Anyone aged 4 to 25 with an interest in horses and horse riding are encouraged to head along to find out more on pony club. Riders must have their own horse, saddle, bridle and helmet.
Ellie-Marie Watts
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
