Breaking News! Splendacrest girls set to represent Australia!

Ever since I've been involved in the sport of Endurance Riding, I have been a keen supporter of the international arm of the sport which is run under the auspices of Equestrian Australia and the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI).

Over the years, Splendacrest Stables have sponsored many FEI rides, and have given many opportunities for both Australian and International young riders to qualify on my horses. In 2006 I had the opportunity to travel to the Aachen World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Germany and, as Assistant Crew Manager for the Australian Endurance Team, I learned a lot about how these big international events operate.

In 2010 I attended the Kentucky WEG as a member of the Crew for the Organising Committee and, once again, learned a lot about World-class events. Over the intervening years I have attended many FEI events around the world, to further expand my understanding and knowledge.

Several years ago it became clear that there were some really great young horses and riders coming up through the ranks of the dedicated Splendacrest Squad. Although my horses have qualified many young riders, I haven't as yet had the opportunity to send a horse overseas to compete.

In 2010 a very young Charlotte Williamson commenced riding lessons with me (aged 4), and I realised very quickly that she would go far in her equestrian pursuits. For years I have promised Charlotte that she would compete for Australia, if she put the hard yards in.

In 2019 I met Indi Else (aged 11), and it was also immediately obvious that her talent was not to be laughed at. Both of these young ladies, accompanied by another extraordinary young horsewoman, Neeve Whittaker, progressed through the ranks of AERA competition and began to make their marks on the Australian annual leader boards.

Although Australia has not ever really had enough FEI rides on the calendar, we all wanted the same result... a spot on an Australian Team. So that meant a lot of travel to rides, a heap of kilometres in my trusty old truck, and a hell of a lot of expense to get horses and riders to suitable qualifying events.

The 2025 World Youth Championship 2* ride over 120km was announced to be held in Buftea, Romania, on 20 September. The goal had been set!

When the "Long List" of potential team members was announced a few months ago, it was exciting to see all three Splendacrest riders included in the seven listed names from across Australia. However, due to her acceptance into a university Medical Degree, Neeve decided to bow out graciously as she wouldn’t be able to commit the time and training needed.

So that left Charlotte and Indi. Then another two of the long listed riders withdrew, leaving a potential team of 4 Youth Riders, two of them from Splendacrest! And today the official team announcement has been made by Equestrian Australia! The other 2 young riders in the team are Poppy and Eadie, and congratulations must go to both of them too!!

During the qualifying period both girls have been able to qualify on multiple horses, with Charlotte qualified on 3 different horses and Indi qualified on 2.

Charlotte's horse for the World Youth Championship ride will be De-Sharvarll El Dakar, a 15.3hh 14yo grey gelding that I have owned since he was 2yo. Known as "Falcon", he is an extremely seasoned horse with an excellent competition record.

Indi's mount will be Splendacrest Clara, a 14.2hh 10yo bay mare that I was given by Ken Moir in 2020. Clara has a great heart, a tough spirit, and a fighting attitude. Both horses are ready and able to handle whatever is thrown at them.

In an exciting development, the Team reserve horse has been listed as Shazaam, also a Splendacrest horse (owned by Kathryn Priol), with BOTH girls qualified to ride him! What an achievement!

We have many people to thank for getting to be 50% of the Australian Team at this World Championship ride. Both girls parents (and grandparents) have been super supportive over the years. The people who work hard to keep my horses in the best of health, Sarah, Nathan and Sophie, are so important to our team.

I only use Blue Pegasos polyurethane horse shoes (thanks Marko), and my horses are fed Relax Nutrition products, from QPD.

To those supporters who have always had a kind word for the Splendacrest young riders, Chris, Jo, Gayle, Graysen, Jane, Carolyn, Naomi, Christine, Robyn, Anne, Marylou, Kim, Norah, Brook, Matthew, Nicki, Peter, Denise, Siobhan, Meg, Emilie, Jan, Karen, David, Celeste, David, Ken, Kaylea, Betti, Jordie, Sam, Rebecca, Pridu, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart! Thank you, too, to all the other people who have been a part of this journey.

To those who have gone before, and to those still to come, you are all part of the Splendacrest journey, and are all loved.

Onward to Romania!! Of course, we are going to need a lot of help to get there, but more on that later.