Saddle Up, Charlotte! Local Pony Club Champ Heads to New Zealand for HOY Mounted Games
Giddy up! Charlton Pony Club’s very own Charlotte Stewart is packing her spurs and heading across the ditch to strut her stuff at the prestigious Horse of the Year (HOY) event in New Zealand next month. Charlotte’s been chosen by the Aussie Mounted Games Association to join the national team, ready to take on the Kiwis in this fast-paced, action-packed equestrian competition.
Mounted Games ain’t your average horsey sport. It’s all about showcasing riders’ like Charlotte, pushing their athleticism, agility, and horsemanship to the limit. This young champion’s already represented Victoria twice at the Prince Phillip Mounted Games Nationals, and now she’s gearing up for an even bigger stage.
With coach Desmond Haliday by her side, Charlotte’s got a month to perfect her skills before the competition heats up. The Aussie team’s a mix of three Victorian riders, two New South Welshmen, and a West Aussie. They’ll all be saddling up on borrowed ponies from the locals, so versatility and top-notch mounted games expertise are key.
Charlotte’s not riding solo, though. She’ll be teaming up with fellow Aussie rider Brodie Haliday-Tough for the pairs competition. These two already have a winning history, snagging the State Under 18 Pairs Reserve Champion title last year. Talk about a dream team!
The whole Aussie crew is buzzing with excitement to represent their country and share their passion for this thrilling sport. So, let’s give a big shoutout to Charlotte and the rest of the team! We’re all cheering you on!
(P.S. Don’t miss the pic on the left – that’s Charlotte showing off her skills at the Victorian Team training in 2023. Photo credit: Carolyn Stewart.
