Sophie Kent travelling 4000km over school holidays to compete at national equestrian titles

Twelve-year-old Sophie is one of the youngest of the 82 riders representing 64 schools in the Queensland team, and is competing for national honours on her pony, Westlake Eternity, in the secondary show horse event.

Together with her proud mum, Casey Kent, a hairdresser at Longreach, they completed the 2000 kilometre trip south in their truck and gooseneck over two days, excited to be part of a team for the first time, to put on the maroon uniform and to experience the build-up of an opening ceremony that will include more than 2000 young riders.

As Casey explained, the Longreach State High School signed up as an equestrian school to help Sophie’s competition aims but to date, she’s been a team of one at the many events she’s competed in around Queensland.

“She’s so excited to have the opportunity to compete nationally, and I’m so proud of her humble attitude and strong determination,” she said. “It’s a real achievement for a 12-year-old kid from the bush, to compete with the best in Australia.”

Her Longreach coach, Jan Saunders, agreed.

“She’s always been a natural, right from when she was little,” she said.

“She’s been very easy to teach and is very dedicated.

“I think she was always destined to make it but what she’s done this year, winning so many show supreme championships as an 11-year-old, up against adults, is mind-blowing.”

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Jan herself did show riding for 20 years before going on to barrel racing and breakaway roping and knows the miles and money it takes to support someone to reach this level.

Sponsorship by Pryde’s EasiFeed has made Casey’s job of feeding four horses a little easier, especially being based in western Queensland in the middle of ongoing drought.

According to Casey, Sophie used to canter round the house as a toddler, rather than walk, and was 15 months when she competed at her first show.

“She’s done everything – showjumping, barrel racing, campdrafting, gymkhana, dressage – whatever horse event is on, she’s at it,” she said.

Sophie rides every day to keep herself and her horses fit, and Jan works with her almost daily when they’re prepping for a big event.

Although she hasn’t travelled south for the championships, the pair Facetimed a lesson between Werribee and Longreach this morning to practise a few last minute technical tips before competition.

Sophie will be reunited with Westlake Eternity for the national championships, a pony that was sold to a new owner at the Gold Coast after the Queensland titles in Caboolture, a sale that was quickly renegotiated when Sophie was announced in the team.

“They have to ride the horse they qualified on,” Casey said.

“Ell is a once-in-a-lifetime pony and I’m really looking forward to watching this little team in Werribee.

“They have already achieved so much together – what a way to finish their journey.”

Casey said a blue ribbon meant nothing to her daughter compared to nailing a workout or test, and while prizes might elude her in her first national competition, she’s already mastered the art of dedication and determination.

The opening ceremony for the 2018 Marcus Oldham Interschool Equestrian Championships takes place at the Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre, Werribee, Victoria on Monday, October 1.

Competition runs from Tuesday, October 2 to Friday, October 5.

Related: 2018 Longreach Showgirls revealed