RIDERS from New England Girls’ School were named among the best in the country after stellar performances at the recent Australian Interschools Equestrian Championships.
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The team of Charlotte Jacobson, Jaimie McElroy, Isabella Arabejo, Elizabeth Hancock and Olivia Ruzsicska travelled to the Sydney Olympics’ equestrian venue to compete in their disciplines.
Jaimie McElroy rode her way to the top of the leaderboard in the 1* eventing discipline after coming back from a broken pelvis.
After sitting in second after the dressage phase McElroy jumped clear in both the cross country and showjumping sections to win the title.
To top off a successful event, McElroy was also awarded the Off the Track award with her horse Hawke.
"This was my first year competing at Nationals and I was extremely proud of my achievements,” she said.
“I went there hoping for a top three placing but winning it was a major bonus.”
Isabella Arabejo competed in the combined training event and finished in fourth place.
Arabejo and her NSW teammates were named reserve champions in the discipline.
She was pleased with her results and said she and her horse combined well to earn the placing.
“I was very proud of my achievements in Sydney as the competition was extremely tough,” she said.
“My horse was a dream all week considering it was such a big competition and jumping has never really been my thing. I was extremely so proud.”
The youngest member of the NEGS team Charlotte Jacobsen also snagged a few ribbons with her performances in the dressage arena.
She placed second and eighth in her classes and was awarded reserve champion for the primary school’s division.
It was the second time Jacobsen competed at the event and hoped she will qualify for the competition when she hits high school age.
"I was really proud to be representing NSW again this year and had a great time at Nationals,” she said.
“I will be going up to the secondary division next year but hoping I will re-qualify for Nationals."
Olivia Ruzsicska rode for the Northern Territory in dressage.
She placed fifth and third in two tests to award her with fourth place overall.
Elizabeth Hancock rounded out the five competing in the dressage event.
Hancock placed in 12th in both of her tests to finish outside of the ribbons but was thrilled to have the experience of competing at national level.
“Representing my state was quite incredible. I was so honoured to have been selected in the first place. Competing was nerve racking but rather exhilarating,” she said.
“I was overjoyed with my achievements, even though I didn’t place I was so happy with my horse and how she performed.”
