Sophie Pearn and her horse Jack at the Horseland Australian Interschool Championships.
Deniliquin’s Sophie Pearn has earned national runner-up honours in the Year 7-9 Hunter Pony category at the Horseland Australian Interschool Championships.
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This event took place at the Sydney National Equestrian Centre from September 25-28.
Sophie, and her horse Jack, competed in the Intermediate Working Hunter category.
They were judged in three classes - one on the rider, one on the horse and one on a combination of both - with Sophie’s efforts enough to earn second place overall.
Competing isn’t new to Sophie, but it does take a lot of work to accomplish what Sophie has in the sport.
She rides three or four times a week after school and between other commitments, all while dealing with an injury in the lead up to the event.
“I’ve been riding pretty much my whole life, but I really started showing when I was four, doing leader and stuff,” Sophie said.
“It’s definitely always been a passion of hers,” her mother Emily added.
“She’s had to work really, really hard to refine her skills; a lot of hard work has gone into it,” Emily continued.
Sophie was also in the top four highest scoring riders for team Victoria in the secondary show horse category, with team Victoria earning a third-place finish among the states.
When asked what was next for her in terms of competing, Sophie’s answer was simple.
“I think I just want to keep improving in the show world,” she said.
Sophie knows she can’t do that on her own, though, and expressed a big thank you to everyone who supports her.
Sophie Pearn and her ribbons from the Horseland Australian Interschool Championships.
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