Bairnsdale Pony Club finished sixth at this year’s Pony Club Victoria Kay Irving Mounted Games State Championships, held at the Bacchus Marsh Pony Club.
The Bairnsdale team had a mix of experienced and inexperienced riders who all stepped up and performed consistently throughout the day in a strong field of 21 clubs from all over Victoria.
Three of the seven riders in the Bairnsdale team had never attended the State Championships previously, and the trio have only ridden sparingly in mounted games competitions.
Expertly guided by team manager Erica Lynch, the team stayed composed, focused and supportive of each other throughout the competition. With an average age of just 11 years, they competed against teams that were much more senior.
Bairnsdale was represented by Jasmine Lynch, Lexie O’Brien, Chloe Cook, Halle Chippendall, Ava Henderson, Ellie Dalton and Mitchell O’Brien.
Fellow East Gippsland Zone teams Rosedale and Stratford also performed well, providing some amazing action and exciting times for the region.
