We are so Proud of our students and all they achieve here at the college. It’s such an awesome feeling seeing success and when it involves representing the country we are full of pride and excitement. What a great article our student, Sarah West, got in The scene this week! check out the story below:
Silver Fern goes west!
Since she won the Category B Pony Show Hunter 80cm Horse of the Year in Hawkes Bay at just nine years old, local showjumper Sarah West has had dreams of wearing the Silver Fern. You can imagine her excitement when she learned recently, her chance had finally arrived!
While in New Caledonia two weeks ago competing in the Inter Pacific Teams Challenge, the 16 year old received the call that she had been selected for the New Zealand Equestrian Show Jumping team which would be flying to Thailand next week. With two others that make up the team, she will be representing New Zealand competing for the Princess Cup at the Royal Horse Guard in the 18 years and under section. “I was so incredibly excited to be selected” says Sarah, “and although I won’t be riding my own horse, I can’t wait to get there and give it everything I’ve got. There are teams from all over the world competing and although we only have one day to get to know our allocated horse, all I can hope is that he suits my style, technique and rhythm! If I get nervous, the horse will feel it so my game plan is to treat the competition like any other and just do my best.”
Introduced to horses as a child, Sarah has inherited her passion from her mum Leanne who, like her daughter, had a natural ability with show jumping and eventing. “Sarah has always had a natural affinity with horses and where many teenagers are starting to focus on their social lives, her focus continues to be solely on doing the best she can and always improving” says Leanne. “She’s up with the birds exercising, feeding and caring for her horses, and then straight back there after school. Her commitment and passion has seen her competing all over the North Island with really great results which of course, makes her dad and I very proud.”
Having returned home from New Caledonia with a win in the 1.10cm, and a second in the teams challenge, Sarah says everything just seemed to come together. “This was my second opportunity to compete in the Inter Pacific after also being selected two years ago – so maybe given I was confident with the format, and knew what I was in for, helped. Well, that and the massive rush of adrenalin you get prior to events” she laughs!
Now jumping at 1.40cm, Sarah says success is basically about leaving all the rails up while at the fastest speed possible. “I ride regularly either in competition events or with my Cambridge based instructor” says Sarah, “and have three beautiful horses at home – Lux, Chewy and Talent. I’m hoping that over the next year or so I continue to get accurately faster and then, once I’m old enough, have dreams of riding in Australia with a view to then travel to America and other world events. For now though, I’ll continue to do the best I can and enjoy the untiring support of my mum and dad!”
Caron Stewart.
