By Victoria Stone-Meadows
GABRIELLE Lovett from Hillcrest Christian School has been selected as captain of the state equestrian team and will lead the team at the upcoming National Equestrian Interschool Championships.
Ms Lovett has been riding horses and training with them for eight years, but really got into competition riding after attending Hillcrest.
Elected jumps captain last year, Ms Lovett has put in a lot of hard work and training to get the position of overall captain this year.
“I am honoured to be captain,” she said.
“I have put in a lot of hard work over the last two years in particular, and it has all paid off.”
Ms Lovett has completed VET Equine Studies units one through four and currently is undertaking a track riding apprenticeship while at school.
She says being selected captain of the Victorian team will be great for her future job prospects as well as for her personal development.
“It’s great for future job opportunities, but also a great way to help other people,” she said.
“I can be a role model for the younger riders and set a good example; it’s a lot of responsibility but I’m up for the challenge.”
Gabrielle Lovett’s mother Debra is Equestrian manager at Hillcrest and says she is very proud of her daughter and what she has chosen to do.
“I have a daughter who, on a Friday and Saturday night, is up cleaning, preparing, and packing for events,” she said.
“Her riding and her dedication has really positive lifestyle benefits.”
Ms Lovett said getting to where she was now would not have been possible without the support of her coach and her family.
“My coach Paul Williams is an amazing coach, and has helped me and other kids gain knowledge, confidence, and skills like no other,” she said.
“Of course my older sister Rachael who has let me ride her horses and use her gear and my dad has been really supportive, too.”
Ms Lovett and her team will travel to Horsley Park in Sydney for the National Equestrian Interschool Championships from Sunday 25 September to Thursday 29 September.
