Ella Cowgill, 14, of Bermagui has just won Champion Australian National Saddle Horse at the 2017 Sydney Royal Easter Show on her horse “Bayview Toyboy”.
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The Narooma High School student beat all the professionals and adults to win this amazing award, her mother Kylee said.
Her horse she won with this year was trained previously by local horse person Sallie Slater of Bega who also won this award last year.
“Some of the classes Ella competed in this year had over 70 horses competing from across the country and NZ and for a 14-year-old child from the Far South Coast to win Champion at this level is not only incredible but has not been done before,” mum Kylee said.
To attend the Sydney Royal Easter Show you must qualify both horse and rider which means winning extensively at 8-10 local agricultural shows to even compete at the event so qualifying your horse and rider to compete at this event can be a challenge, she said.
“Ella works really hard with regular lessons and daily training to be competitive at this level,” mum Kylee said.
Competition at this level requires the entire family's commitment with Ella’s parents Kylee and Craig and Ella sister Libby all supporting and assisting at home and during the event.
“It’s a life not a lifestyle but in return she gets to travel the country and meet some beautiful friends as well as learning the responsibilities required to look after her animals,” mum Kylee said.
“Ella’s family are so proud of what she has achieved and her dedication with lots of tears following from everyone during the awards ceremony.”