Rising Albany equestrian star Amelia McDonald qualifies for Australian Interschool Championships

Young Albany equestrian rider Amelia McDonald has been selected to represent WA at the 2022 Australian Interschool Championships in Sydney in September.

The event will be held from September 26 to 30 at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre.

McDonald has been selected to represent WA in the secondary intermediate preliminary dressage and secondary combined training (dressage and show jumping) 60cm sections at the championships.

She qualified for the nationals at the Equestrian WA State Interschool event with her pony Springwater Chanel earlier this year.

The Australian Interschool Championships attract more than 2000 school-based competitors, family, friends and supporters from around the country.

The event is the biggest equestrian grassroots program delivered nationally in Australia.

The competition continues to grow each year and is a major focus for young equestrians.

The 12-year-old Great Southern Grammar student said she was excited for the opportunity to represent her State.

“I’ve been riding since I was five but only started competing in dressage three years ago and show jumping this year,” she said.

“It’s so exciting to get the opportunity to go to Sydney and be part of the WA team.”

It is her first time competing in the secondary school classes.

Her mother Kathi said her daughter put a lot of time and effort into riding.

“We are so excited for Amelia and were a little surprised as we didn’t expect her to place so well in the State event this year,” she said.

“Chanel is a new pony for her and they have only been training together since October last year.

“We are so proud of Amelia’s achievements; she works hard at her riding and does all the hard work and long hours herself.

“It is such a massive undertaking to travel a pony to the east coast to compete, but we are doing lots of fundraising and Amelia has started a paper round to help with the expenses.”