Riddells Creek Pony Club jumped a 16-year hurdle to achieve its dream of a win at the recent state championships.
A team has competed in the Horseland PCAV state flat team championships every year for more than a decade, and some of their best efforts often earned them top-six placings.
But the girls brought home gold this year in the June competition in Gladysvale in the Yarra Ranges.
The winning team comprised Jessica Harvey on DeGroot, Annalise Scott on Yami Ichi, Lauren Cocks on Kolbeach Explorer, and Acacia Harvey on Willowcroft Royal Fashion.
Flat teams are made up of four riders riding their horses in unison through rehearsed and unrehearsed tests.
Team manager Lauren Cocks commended the girls’ commitment to their sport.
“We have been practicing with our team manager Joanne Heintz for three months, rain, hail or shine and through many ups and downs,” she said.
“The team did an outstanding job coming home in first place.
“They couldn’t have done it without Jo, whose coaching and support was incredible.”
Harvey and Scott also placed third overall in the pairs event.
