The 2017 year is shaping up to be a big year for Yass Pony Club member Lily Godding. She will be traveling to Texas, US, in October to compete in the Haras Cup, an International Working Equitation event. This event will have competitors of all levels from across the US. as well as international riders who will demonstrate their skills during three days of competition.
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Working Equitation is a relatively new equestrian discipline in Australia. It tests the horse’s and rider's abilities and partnership to maneuver through four phases of competition, including obstacles such as gateways, bridges and barrels, as well as completing a dressage test. Riders can either dress in traditional clothing and use saddlery relating to the horse's' breed or their own country of origin.
I'm so excited to be representing my country in a sport I am so passionate about. It's such a shame I can't take my own horse but I can't wait to meet the horse I will be riding.
- Lily Godding
Thirteen year-old Lily will be the first junior to represent Australia at this prestigious event. She is in training with her horse, Linc, but she will ride a borrowed American horse for the Haras Cup. She will spend two weeks leading up to the event training with her borrowed horse and forming a partnership that will hopefully see her do well at the international competition.
"I'm so excited to be representing my country in a sport I am so passionate about. It's such a shame I can't take my own horse but I can't wait to meet the horse I will be riding,” she said. “We will have to do a lot of training together leading up the the cup."
The success of the recent photographic exhibition The Ride held at Label Love Boutique secured Lily a ticket to Texas and on Saturday, March 4. A fundraiser—Working Equitation Gala Day—will be held at the Canberra Equestrian Centre to help raise money needed for entry fees and horse hire.