Equestrian

Horsemanship lessons are in full swing and our first clinic opportunity is coming up fast. Kellie Mitchell, our junior and flatwork instructor, will be at College Saturday 18 May and is available for private and shared lessons. Kellie has a lifetime of experience with horses.

Beginning her working life teaching juniors and leading rides at Rundells Horseriding, and then working for notable trainers in the racehorse industry, Kellie has spent the last 11 months under the tutelage of internationally renowned classical horseman, Manolo Mendez. Manolo is known for his dedication to a soft, sympathetic training method that he has developed in Kellie, and she utilises in her teaching. 

Skilled at horse-centred groundwork as well as ridden lessons, Kellie works with the rider to bring out the best in both them and their horse. Lessons are $80 private and $40 shared and can be booked at  Kellie Mitchell Clinic May 2024 | Humanitix

Equestrian Victoria Interschool State Championships

At the 2024 PETstock Equestrian Victoria Interschool State Championships, the Hamilton and Alexandra College were represented excellently by a strong Equestrian team. Held from the 6th to the 10th of April, at the Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre, the event is always one that is greatly looked forward to on the calendar. This year, the event attracted nearly 500 competitors, and the Hamilton and Alexandra College had a team of five students compete over a number of days.

Muirne Reilly, aboard Bouvard, posted some great showjumping rounds in the Senior 80cm class, gaining a 5th place in the One Round Jump Off, a 6th place in the Two Phase, and finished up placing 7th overall. Muirne also competed in the Secondary 80cm Combined Training on Bouvard, and in the Senior Working Hunter, which she placed 5th overall in. Muirne and her second mount, Awaytoff, successfully competed in the Senior Preliminary Dressage, scoring some great percentages, and the Secondary 80cm Combined Training too.

Alison Foster also expertly piloted her two horses around the showjumping arenas, gaining a 5th place in the Intermediate 90cm One Round aboard Reedbeck Missy, and rode beautifully in the Secondary 70cm aboard Kinnordy Guayaquil, achieving a clear round.

More success was achieved in the showjumping rings throughout the event, with Finley Hiscock and Bearwood Basil posting a clear round in the Intermediate 80cm One Round, cheered on by his brother Charlie Hiscock, who sadly was unable to compete due to horse injury this year, but contributed greatly by volunteering at the event.

Phoebe Ross attended her first Interschool State Championships with her horse Aspen Way Debutante, and celebrated much success, achieving a 4th place in the One Round, and a 3rd place in the One Round Jump Off, overall placing 6th in the Secondary 70cm Showjumping. Well done Phoebe!

Finally, Zoe Weinberg completed her final year of Interschool State Championships after competing and representing THAC every year since Prep. Aboard her horse Beachgoer, Zoe posted some great percentages in the Senior Novice Dressage, with 68% in the Novice 2.2.

At the completion of the event, The Hamilton and Alexandra College placed 27th out of over 160 different schools from across the state, and the effort of all riders, parents and helpers is to be commended. 

Also, this past weekend, on the 27th and 28th of April, Charlie Hiscock competed on Always A Gentleman at the Melbourne Showjumping Club Autumn Show in Werribee, in the 1.00cm and 1.10cm classes where he posted some great rounds.

Zoe Weinberg competed and represented The Hamilton and Alexandra College at the 2024 Tintern Grammar Victorian Interschools Horse Trials Championships in the Yarra Valley and placed 7th in the EvA95 aboard Beachgoer.