By BRIDGET COOK
HILLCREST Christian College’s equestrian team members are jumping with joy after their success at the Saddleworld Victorian Equestrian Interschool Series (VEIS) grand final last week.
A group of riders from the Clyde North school headed to the National Equestrian Centre, Werribee Park, on 2 and 3 August to compete in the dressage and show jumping events.
The champion Victorian Dressage School and champion Victorian Show Jumping School were decided at the event, as well as the VEIS individual champions in their respective classes.
Hillcrest’s show jumping team came third in the team show jumping grand final behind Toorak College and St Margaret’s, Berwick.
Some Hillcrest students had some individual success in the show jumping categories, with Tameisha Kelly placing second in the advanced 115 centimetres level, enough to just edge team mate Gabrielle Lovett out of Reserve Champion on the series leader board.
Young rider Tameisha said she was thrilled with her result.
“Being part of this year’s Victorian equestrian interschool series has been a wonderful experience,” she said.
“It’s been a great way to get to know the other competitors and provided another year where I have challenged the abilities of my horse and myself.
“I look forward to next year’s series.”
Hillcrest student Tegan McKenzie, riding Josh, placed second in the improvers 85 centrimetres class.
The school’s dressage team was also happy with its result, finishing in the top 20 teams – the highest position the school has achieved in the past 10 years in the VEIS.
Equestrian co-ordinator Deb Lovett said the team was doing everything possible to be among the top 10 schools.
“Dressage has eluded us as a successful sport at this stage,” she said.
“Our long-term coach, Tooradin’s Sally Franci, has taken the team from the bottom of the ladder to being amongst the top 20.
“Our improvement is dramatic but there is still work to be done.
“Our point of difference is that some of our students are competing on horses they don’t actually own.
“The college runs a herd of 30-odd horses and students that improve to the level of competing are assigned a horse to use on the competition circuit with the VEIS.
“It’s a great privilege to offer this opportunity to students.
“Some of the horse and rider combinations have the chance to continue on to compete at the nationals in September.”
