Three students from Armidale will captain NSW

Armidale continues to produce some of the country's top young equestrian talent with three local students being selected to captain their individual equestrian teams for NSW at the Marcus Oldham Australian Interschool Championships this month in Sydney.

Bronte Dagg, a year 10 TAS student, has been selected to captain the show horse team; Anna Jarvis, a year 11 student at NEGS has been named the eventing captain and Katie Hancock, also in year 11 at NEGS is the joint combined training captain.

"I am really excited about leading the NSW show horse team at this year's championships," Bronte, who has been competing at NSW Interschool events since she was 9-years-old and was runner up national show hunter primary rider in 2015, said.

"We have some super talented horse and rider combinations selected in both the show horse and show hunter phases across the primary and secondary categories.

"I am really excited about representing NSW at my second national championship event and I am hoping to win a national title for NSW team.

"I am also looking forward to helping mentor and encourage the younger riders on the team and show them how much fun it is being part of this amazing event that showcases some of the country's top equestrian talent."

Due to the championships being held in different states each year, Bronte doesn't always compete at the state qualifying event but this year she attended the NSW Interschool Championships at SIEC and was awarded runner up in secondary show horse section and a spot on the NSW team.

"As a regional competitor it is hard to get to large events in Sydney all the time but I was very lucky to receive a grant from the Local Sporting Champions program which will help towards the cost of attending the championships.

"I am really looking forward to meeting up with all the NSW team members and catching up with old friends, making new ones and competing with some of the best riders in the country."

Anna Jarvis, who was also selected on the NSW eventing team in 2018, said she was "super excited" to be named as the eventing caption.

"The group of eventers that have been selected are all outstanding riders who always put 110 per cent in everything they do," said Anna.

"I'm looking forward to the championships, to compete for my state with such an amazing team by my side and being a part of the NSW team spirit.

"The championships is always a fun and friendly environment where you can meet new people and make forever friendships."

It is the third year in-a-row Katie Hancock has been selected to represent NSW at the championships.

"I am extremely thrilled to be selected as team captain for the combined training at the championships, alongside Anneliese Wansey who is an outstanding rider," said Katie.

"This captain position personally means a great deal to me because I have the opportunity to support and work alongside the elite riders of the NSW region and learn many things from them."

The Marcus Oldham Australian Interschool Championships will be held at SIEC from September 27 to October 2.

Article and image courtesy of ACM and The Armidale Express