ST PETER’S Anglican College year 9 student Isabella Wall was the overall champion of the intermediate rider class at Camden High School’s Interschool Equestrian Carnival.
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On September 6, Wall and her eight-year-old horse Phoenix were among more than 270 riders who flocked to Bicentennial Park, Camden.
The event hosts riders from kindergarten to year 12, and students from state, private, independent and Catholic schools.
Wall was riding at her second interschool carnival and before competing she was overwhelmed by the quality of her opponents.
“There were entrants from Sydney schools and people who compete in hacking at the Sydney Royal,” Wall said.
“I felt pretty out of my depth, to be honest.”
Among a field of 36 year 9 entrants, Wall blitzed the rider class category, displaying the best positioning and applications of aids.
Wall was shocked when the judges said she had won.
“It was great but I didn’t believe it,” she said.
“I had a blue ribbon but then they said I had to compete against other winners.”
Wall then faced the best riders from year 7 and 8 and left them in her wake, winning the overall intermediate prize.
After winning the rider class competition Wall had one round of show jumping before she decided to call it a day to look out for Phoenix’s welfare.
Wall said it was the furthest she had gone in a carnival.
“I recently decided to step up (from local competition) and represent my school to gain more experience,” Wall said.
“It was a great experience.”
Wall and her family moved to Mogendoura about 18 months ago from Sydney.
She had always wanted to ride horses and found the experience on the South Coast much better than Sydney.
“I had riding lessons in Sydney but it’s nothing compared to riding out on the farm,” she said.
Wall started learning the basics at Moruya Pony Club, where her dressage mentor Hetty Munda spotted her.
Since then Munda has taught Wall “basically, how to ride properly”.
“She mentors me in dressage and helped me become a part of the Eurobodalla Dressage Association,” she said.
“I’m really thankful and it’s worked out well.”
Wall also praised her four-legged companion’s great ability.
“He can do everything, he’s great,” she said.
Wall hoped to compete at the Tara Anglican School Equestrian Carnival in November where she could take it to the “city kids” again.
“Sometimes you end up on top, it’s great,” she said.