Bendigo equestrian rider Amy Bachmann receives Victorian team sports award

Amy Bachmann's love of riding horses started as a four-year-old.

Her family was minding a pony for their neighbour and it wasn't long before Bachmann became intrigued.

"I would always ask my mum to take me out riding and eventually I would go out all by myself," Bachmann said.

More than a decade later Bachmann has been around horses for majority of her life and has plans to compete on the international level.

Bachmann's most recent achievement has come in the way of an award presented to the Victorian Equestrian Interschools Team, which she is the dressage captain.

The squad is made up of riders from across the state who compete individually and also in team events.

Bachmann was one of the team's members that was presented with Young Team of the Year Award at the 2019 Victorian Sport Awards ceremony held in late February.

The awards recognise athletes, grassroots heroes and those who have shown commitment and dedication to community sport in Victoria.

Other highlights of Bachmann's career so far include winning a recent Concours Dressage International young rider competition at the 2020 Boneo Classic.

She was also named on the National Dressage Recognition Squad in addition to the Victorian High-Performance Squad.

Looking ahead to the future the Girton Grammar student has plans to take her skill to the international level.

"My goal is to go overseas and compete for Australia," Bachmann said.

The 17-years-old has a state of mind to compete against the elites of the sport.

"I'm a very competitive person who always strives to do their best," Bachmann said.

"I do get disappointed when I don't do the best, but I've learnt to just move on.

"You can't win everyday there are ups and downs to competitive riding."

One key aspect of equestrian which Bachmann enjoys is the unique partnership a rider has with their horse.

"Over time you build such a strong bond with your horse as you always work with them, but there are times when they can decide to work against you," she laughed.

Article courtesy of Australian Community Media and the Bendigo Advertiser