Sport
26 May, 2024
Young equestrian competes at DD and SWQ Interschool Championships
Peyton Alexander-Smith from Pittsworth, recently attended the Interschool Darling Downs and South West Queensland Regional Championships for equestrian, competing in the Showhorse and Dressage events.
Peyton is a student at St. Ursula’s College in Toowoomba and rode as a member of the school’s equestrian team.
On Friday 10th May, she competed at the Toowoomba Showgrounds in the Showhorse section, riding two ponies.
The first was Tanglewood Park Statesman, Archie, who was awarded 5th place overall in the Intermediate Show Hack.
Peyton’s second pony, Cheraton Brandy Snap, Buddy, won Reserve Champion in the Intermediate Show Hack.
The next event in which she competed was on Saturday 11th May, in which Peyton also campaigned Cheraton Brandy Snap..
They placed 9th overall in the Intermediate Preliminary section, out of 22 riders.
Peyton’s mother Katrina Alexander said it was a huge effort on both Peyton’s and Buddy’s parts.
“I am so incredibly proud of Peyton’s achievements, she has come a long way in the last 12 months with her riding,” Ms Alexander said.
“She works very hard to achieve her goals and really beats herself up when she doesn’t go as well as she thought she would.
“I’m constantly in awe of her determination, persistence and confidence. “[I’m a] Very, very proud Mum,” she said.
This was Peyton’s final interschool competition on her horse Buddy.
She will compete in the Pony Club Queensland State Championships at Beaudesert during the school holidays, before parting with Buddy for good.
Buddy has been with Peyton since 2018, and he will have the best, semi-retired life with his new family, Ms Alexander said.
Equestrian is not for the faint-hearted, with the season continuously running from January through to November.
Peyton is dedicated to her training, working with three horses every day after school to prepare for these competitions.
In October last year, Peyton was crowned as Warwick’s Rodeo Fundraiser Queen, after raising an incredible $7105.05.
Amidst her busy schedule, she stands to defend that title later in the year.
Peyton and her mum live on acreage just outside Pittsworth, a property they share with Ms Alexander’s mother and stepfather, who moved to Pittsworth from the Cooloola Coast.
