Competition at the Australian Interschool Championships, held at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre during the September holidays was fierce! But Emily Rink (Year 10) and her horses Rosenthwaite Venice Beach and Heart of Hearts relished the challenge and atmosphere.
Over the four days of the championships Emily Rink and her horses took part in the Eventing classes involving Dressage, Cross Country and Show Jumping.
After the initial Vet check riders begin competing in their various disciplines so Emily had to start with the Dressage phase.
Scores are calculated from each event and the final placings are awarded based on accrued penalties.
This year Emily achieved the outstanding result of Overall Reserve Champion in the Pre-Novice Eventing class on her horse Rosenthwaite Venice Beach.
“I was so thrilled with my result, there was only 0.7 point difference between me and the first place winner,” Emily said.
Just making the Queensland team is an achievement. Emily was required to compete and place in at least two events to qualify for the Queensland team.
“I have qualified for the State team five times, and every year I think the competition gets stronger.”
On her second horse and competing in the 1 star class Emily says “I was extremely happy with my dressage result because my horse, Heart of Hearts, was not happy in the closed arena and did not cooperate as well as he should have.”
Despite some issues in the Dressage phase , Heart of Hearts or Ace which is his stable name, out did himself in the cross country.
“Ace was bred to be a racehorse so he loves the open spaces of cross country and so do I”.
In the final Show Jumping phase Emily cleared all the rails and finished without time faults.
“I was so thrilled to do as well as I did and am extremely proud of my horses. Taking home National Reserve Champion was wonderful”.
At home in Brisbane Emily has been riding horses since she was six years old. Her mother Lisa and sister Georgia are also accomplished riders and together they train their horses for Eventing.
“Riding is certainly a passion of mine and I’d love to one day represent Australia at International events,” Emily said.
