A young Gippsland Grammar horse rider who has only been in the saddle for a few years has qualified for the Australian Interschool Equestrian Championships.
Year five student, Mabel Fry from the Bairnsdale Campus and her five-year-old Welsh mare Westbury Breanna are busily preparing for the National Titles which will be held during the upcoming school holidays in Tamworth, New South Wales, between September 19-23.
Mabel qualified in the Primary Show Hunter class at the Victorian titles in April where she also teamed up with fellow Gippsland Grammar school riders, Lachy and Mitch Black, from St Anne’s Campus, and Emily Wagstaff, Garnsey Campus, to place third in the overall teams event.
At the imminent Nationals, Mabel will compete as part of the Victorian team in three show classes: Rider, Ridden and Led.
This is an outstanding result and effort for such a young rider, given Mabel began riding during 2020 and only attended her first ever competition in March last year.
According to her mum, Jessica, horse riding had been a huge confidence booster for the youngster.
“Mabel began riding lessons once a week in July 2020 during COVID, it was something for her to do that got her outside and helped
greatly with her emotions and confidence,” Jessica said.
In March 2023 she competed in her first ever competition – the Bairnsdale Interschool gymkhana and is now a proud member of Bairnsdale Pony Club, who loves to attend rallies and events.
“It is a fun, happy social circuit, which she also loves competing in zone events where she meets up with other young riders from around Gippsland,” Ms Fry said.
