Moruya hosts Olympic coach

There were six elite-level coaches available to students this year.

The panel consisted of Prue Barrett, who coaches the Australian Olympic team, Craig Barrett, Fiona Hughes, Sandy Lucas, Jenny Irvine-Brown and Colleen Barton.

Mirrabooka Junior Summer School is organised by Equestrian Australia and Eventing NSW, especially for juniors interested in eventing.

It’s hosted by Mirrabooka Riding Club, just south of Moruya, which is uniquely situated near both the beach and the bush.

The location means families, who come from all over NSW, have the opportunity to spend their spare time exploring the best the Far South Coast has to offer. 

The club is named after the event horse ridden by Neil Lavis in the 1960 Olympic Games. Lavis had strong connections to the Bodalla area.

Students travel to the Far South Coast for a week of intensive learning. 

Many of their families tagged along for the chance to pick up some top equestrian tips.

Equestrian coach Julie-Anne Humphries said events such the Mirrabooka Junior Summer School were invaluable for up and coming equestrians.

“It’s wonderful to see coaches of this level nurture our young students, improving their skills and confidence,” Humphries, a talented eventer in her own right, said. 

“The week finished with a full hunter course – cross country and show jump, just like a real competition.

“It’s the perfect way for the juniors to showcase the skills they have trained in and mastered over the week,” Humphries said. 

She said the timing of the summer school was carefully planned to coincide with the 2018 Eurobodalla Agricultural Show.

The training camp ended on the Friday of the show weekend, and many Mirrabooka Summer School students went on to compete there and test their newfound skills.

Meanwhile, three Olympians are scheduled to contest a World Equestrian Games qualifier at Bawley Point from February 22 to February 25 at Willinga Park.

Willinga Park-based Brett Parbery is the first, and at this stage, the only competitor to have gained a WEG qualifying score of over 69 per cent, achieved on the gelding DP Weltmieser.