Community & Business
6 July, 2022
Clifton Cluster cleans up
The last week of the school term saw nine Stockman’s Challenge Club competitors from the Clifton State Schools Cluster make the long trek to Maryborough for the P–12 Interschool Equestrian Challenge which was hosted by Aldridge State High School.
The nine member team consisted of five primary school students from the Clifton Cluster (three Pilton students and two Greenmount students) and four secondary students all from Clifton State High School.
Events included Led class, Rider class, Presentation, Barrels, Keyhole, Mechanical cow, Dry work, Extreme trail and Bending.
RESULTS
Maise Atwell (flag bearer for the march past) 2nd in Barrels, 3rd in Dry work and Mechanical cow, 4th Extreme trial, Bending and Keyhole.
Shelby Turl: 1st Best Presented, Dry work, Rider class, Keyhole, 2nd: Led class, Barrels, Extreme Cowboy race, Mechanical cow. Yr 9 Champion
Chelsea Leonard: 1st Mechanical Cow, Extreme trail, Led class, 2nd Dry work and Rider class, 3rd Best Presented, Key hole 4th. Yr 9 Reserve Champion.
Lucy Sheather: 2nd Key hole, 3rd Dry work, Led class, 4th Mechanical cow, bending and hack class
Rachael May: 1st Led class, 2nd Rider class, Dry work pattern, 3rd: Presentation, Barrels, Extreme Trail, 4th Mechanical Cow and Bending. Encouragement Award – Extreme trail and Year 6 Champion
Toby Atwell: 1st Led class, 4th Dry work pattern
Harriet Thorpe: 1st: Bending, Led class, 2nd: Barrels, Rider class, Mechanical cow, 3rd: Keyhole Presentation, Extreme trail 4th: Dry work. Encouragement Award – Extreme trail and Yr 4 Reserve Champion
Keelie Atwell: 1st Mechanical cow, 2nd Dry work, Rider class, Bending, Barrels, Extreme Trail, Keyhole, 3rd: Led class and Best Presented. Yr 3 Reserve Champion
Millie Thorpe: 1st: Dry work, Keyhole, Mechanical cow, Bending, Barrels, 2nd: Rider class, 3rd: Led class, 4th: Best presented. Yr 2 Champion
Brendon Thorpe, who helped organise the trip, said to be honest, he was a little worried heading up there as he thought the kids and their horses would be a bit under done.
“Being so wet, we couldn’t meet as a team for the last six weeks or so prior, they were all just left to their own devices, riding along their local roads and driveways as you couldn’t even get into a paddock or an arena for that matter,” Mr Thorpe said.
“I was thinking this is going to be a long 4 to 5 hour trip for these kids when they are a bit out of nick and their horses are not quite ironed out properly and even a longer trip home if they all get a hiding up there!
“They did so well up there, we never ever anticipated winning it, it was more about getting a team together and established, just so that we could head up there and be a part of it really.
“No-one knew where Clifton was when we arrived and were setting up camp, but they definitely knew by the time we left. They even invited us back for next year.”
Mr Thorpe said he would like to congratulate all students and their horses on their efforts.
“I was extremely proud of their exemplary behaviour and good sportsmanship throughout the entire event.”
A total of twelve students ride regularly each week at Goodwood Equine, weather permitting, under the instruction of Angie and Darren Siebel.
The students would like to thank Angie and Darren for their lessons and training and prepping them well for the events in the lead up.
Mr Thorpe said he would like to thank the Clifton Benchrest rifle club for its generous financial donation two years ago to enable the club to get off the ground, Sandy McAntee for helping with the organisation/start-up of the club, Goodwood Equine for the weekly lessons and instructions, team manager Taryn Turl and Principal Lou Oberholzer for his support.
