It was a long but exciting drive for a girl and her horse, on their way to Werribee, Victoria, to compete for Queensland in the 1.20 metre Showjumping event at the Australian Interschool Equestrian Championships.

Toowoomba Anglican College and Preparatory School (TACAPS) Year 11 student Tara Wilkinson and Harmony Hills Fabio (AKA Zorro), her 12-year old Andalusian/Warmblood gelding, rode together and earned a well deserved place against fierce competition.

Riding since the age of three and growing up in a horse loving family (Dad played polo, Mum with an equestrian history), Tara was nervous but excited to be offered the opportunity to compete. The drive to Werribee in their horse truck took three days β€” stopping along the way at local showgrounds (along with fellow Queensland competitors), to rest the horses, before arriving in Werribee for the Championships Opening Ceremony. With more than 300 competitors from all around Australia, Tara said, β€œIt was an exciting event, social and a lot of fun. Your aim is, of course, to do your best but it was so rewarding to receive points for the Queensland team.”

Tara finished seventh in the competition and was extremely proud of her own and Zorro’s achievements. β€œIt has taken time, effort and trust to establish Zorro to this level, and he isn’t even really in his prime. He still has many years of jumping left in him and I am so excited to see where it takes us.”

Where to now for Tara? β€œI will aim for the National Championships again in 2019, but my ultimate goal would be to compete in the World Cup Series and then hopefully overseas.”