Young Aussie Pony Jumpers Take on Ireland

Three young Australian riders have had an amazing time riding a show jumping tour in Ireland, specifically Pony Jumping. The children were aged 8-12 years and jumped up to 1.10m during their Irish tour, which concluded with competing at the prestigious Millstreet International.

The riders are from both sides of the country; Harley McNaughton (8) hails from Melbourne, VIC, La’moza Velisha (12) is also from Melbourne, and Zenniah Albonneti (9) calls Perth, WA home.

These lucky riders left Melbourne on the 14th October to travel to Ireland. While there, they rode various jumping ponies selected from a pool of approximately 10 good mounts, kindly provided by Vinnie Duffy and Jean Gill of Duffy Sport Horses, organised with the help of fellow Australian show jumper Jake Hunter.

“Jake Hunter has been the biggest help sorting everything out and getting us this opportunity, we are organising for Harley to come back on a more regular basis. Also thanks to Duffy Sport Horses for giving us this opportunity too as these ponies are amazing.” said Jacqui van Bree – the event co-ordinator and Harley’s mum.

The youngest of the group, Harley started riding at around 4-years-old and show jumping when he was about 6 years. At home in Melbourne, Harley has his own 14.2hh jumping pony from New Zealand, that he competes up to 95cm and trains up to 1.05m - his pony has jumped up to 1.25-1.30m back in NZ. Harley was on the VIC development squad last year and trains regularly under Paul Williams and Mark Griffiths.

During the tour in Ireland Harley did very well. He came 2nd at his first show, the Connaught Pony Championships, in the U10 85cm class on pony called Wasabi. He went on to have a super show at Millstreet International, coming out with wins or placings in every class. In the U8 final, Harley finished in the top 3, with one of only three double clears out of over 30 entries.

Little Wasabi himself is quite a well-known pony on the Pony Jumping circuit, the cute 12.2hh chestnut having previously won European championship classes.

Wasabi was also ridden by tour-mate Zenniah, who rode some super rounds herself while on tour. Another pony Zenniah rode was Bailey, whom she competed on in the 90cm classes, securing placings and taking home ribbons and prizes. At home, Zenniah competes up to 95cm aboard her 14.2hh mare, also from New Zealand, and has been riding since she could walk. She started her ridden career in the show ring, has represented her state numerous times and has been selected for the WA Rising Stars Squad. Zenniah trains with her Swan Valley-based coach Gail Heillier.

“I would like to thank Vinnie Duffy , Jean Gill, Colm Flynn and Jake Hunter- from Duffy Sport Horses for giving Zenniah the opportunity to come to Ireland and compete and train in their stables. This has been a huge success for us and we are so thankful for the amazing opportunity.” Natalie Albonetti – Zenniah’s mum.

La’moza was an absolute star while on tour. At the first show, the Connaught Pony Championships, she rode 13.2hh Bailey to an impressive win in the 1.10m class, her super round saw her take the title with a speedy 2-second margin! At Millstreet International, La’moza placed 4th on Bailey in the huge Grand Prix class, riding one of only four clear rounds. She placed 6th on Bailey in the 1.10m final there too.

The European competition is fast and tough in Pony Show Jumping. A child can have a birthday on the 2nd of January but is allowed to compete in their ‘age-and-under’ section for that whole year, meaning there can be a big gap in age between riders within each grade.

“We would love pony jumping to be more recognised in Australia as it is in Europe, Ireland and New Zealand etc” said Jacqui.

The riders would like to thank Hygain and Horseware Australia for their generous sponsorship for the tour.

We can’t wait to see where these young riders end up in the future.

Article courtesy of Equestrian Australia