Indi rides GSSC to

victory at

interschool equestrian event.

Year 7 student Indi Funston looked the part when she represented GSSC in an interschool equestrian event recently, but we must say her 8-year-old Welsh pony, Pumpkin also scrubbed up nicely in the teal and orange.

Indi and Pumpkin competed in the Scot’s School Albury Interschool equestrian event across two days last term in events including dressage, jumping, show horse classes, led classes and games.

While Indi competed in all events, her best performance was in show jumping where she reined champion for her year level (years 7-9) and jumping height. Indi also came seventh overall out of about 30 talented competitors for this intermediate age group and received ribbons in each of the games classes and her ridden show horse class.

Indi has been riding competitively for the last four years but said she has enjoyed time with horses since a young age.

“I’m a part of the Shepparton Pony Club and Goulburn Valley Equestrian Club and compete for both clubs as well as attend lessons and rallies,” Indi said.

As well as dressage, showing and jumping, Indi and her pony also enjoy combined training and love trail riding and cross country jumping.

“I really enjoy the sport and want to keep improving my skills,” Indi said.

“To be prepared for an event like this I will ride about five times a week and practice workouts, dressage tests and just general fitness and strength.”

Indi said event preparation does requires lots of practice and consistent work to care for her horse, which includes maintaining her coat by keeping her clean, cleaning gear, feeding, and on the day of such events it also involves her horse being presented neatly with mane and tail plaited, horse makeup, and clean equipment and rider attire.

Indi’s mum Amy can attest to the level of preparation for an event and said it typically also involves really early mornings and hours of preparation the day before and also the morning of.

Indi has owned her 13hh Welsh B pony for around two years now, however Pumpkin has been sick recently so has had four months off work getting better and this was her first big event back.

“Overall I loved the whole weekend,” Indi said.

“I like the challenge of a competition, jumping is my favourite, but it’s also fun to meet new people and make friends from other schools.”

If there are other students interested in riding for GSSC in the interschools competition next year, please reach our to Indi or Ms Funston.