It’s All Confidence at Star Club
Confidence, along with talent and skill, is the number one attribute needed when sportspeople head into major competition and if Kyle Chapman’s confidence is anything to go by, he has the upcoming State Champsionships just about wrapped up.
Ask Kyle if he is going to win in his dressage categories and he responds with a confidence-fuelled ‘easy’!
Eight riders from the Star Club Equestrian Program Inc. based in Singleton head into the RDA NSW State Dressage Championships and Gymkhana Gale event this weekend.
It is the largest contingent from the club to compete and for many it will be their first experience competing, let alone at a State level.
The nerves were running a little wild at the final practise section in Singleton last weekend.
It will be the first time Merriwa’s Brie Barlow will compete and she has one thing on her mind.
“This is my first time competing and I really don’t care about winning or losing, I am just going to have a lot of fun,” said Brie.
“I will bring as much as I can to the competition, I am a little nervous but it will be fun.”
Star Club Equestrian Program Inc. founder Sharon Bassett says preparations to attend the State Championships have been in full swing with training taking place over the past ten weeks.
All up there are 20 people attending the event at the Sydney Equestrian Centre at Horsley Park. The team includes team carers, coaches, stable and transport manager, three support people, three horse groomers as well as the riders themselves.
“We are excited, it is as much about the experience as it is the competition,” said Sharon.
Competitors and their events are:
Jodin Bell
“Zoey’s Unicorn” – Gymkhana, Dressage, Dressage Championships and Freestyle
“Kokoda’s Lethal Weapon” – Gymkhana, Dressage, Dressage Championships
Kyle Chapman
“Chapplehurst Mozique” – Dressage, Dressage Championships and Freestyle
“Let’s Jazz It Up” – Dressage, Dressage Championships and Freestyle
“Briar’s Beauty BVW” – Dressage, Dressage Championships
“BearView Dior” – Gymkhana
Brie Barlow
“BearView Dior” – Gymkhana and Introductory Dressage
Charlotte Thomas
“BearView Penny Lane” – Gymkhana
Eliza Simpson
“Kokoda’s Lethal Weapon” – Gymkhana, Dressage and Dressage Championships
Keeleigh Anderson
“Dusty Park Colonial SuperStar” – Gymkhana and Introductory Dressage
James Rodley
“Rome Aureus” – Gymkhana and Introductory Dressage
Michelle Hatch
“Rome Aureus” – Gymkhana and Introductory Dressage
These Championships are being conducted with support from Sydney International Equestrian Centre and the Sutherland Shire Horse Owners Association in Memory of Joy Charlton.
-Di Sneddon