The Year Nine Macquarie Anglican Grammar School student has taken out the Australian Show Jumping Championships junior final, besting 90 of the country’s most promising young dressage talent to the nation’s top gong.

Rice-Ward and classy gelding Kiwi Guard dominated the junior category of the championships, placing first in the top 30 after starring throughout the competition’s initial four rounds, where points were given for competitors’ placings in each class.

Last out in the final, the mounting weight of expectation didn’t have any impact on the young star, with Rice-Ward jumping two “beautifully clean” rounds to complete her rise as a national champion in 2016.

The 14-year-old was up against some riders as old as 18, but the age difference didn’t faze her at all.

“I’ve been riding against older competitors for a long time,” she said, having competed for a decade and often in open divisions as well.

“I was pretty happy with the way I rode. In our final we tapped a few jumps but they stayed on.”

The young gun says the magnitude of her win still hasn’t sunk in yet.

“It’s the first time I’ve won a national title. It’s amazing,” she added.

“Jessie has worked very hard this year and has recently been rewarded for this with the highest achievement in equestrian,” Macquarie Anglican Grammar School headmaster Criag Mansour said. 

“She has demonstrated her excellent ability whilst being a wonderful ambassador for Macquarie Anglican Grammar School and the broader Dubbo region. Our school community could not be prouder.”

Rice-Ward qualified for the event after being equally as impressive during the NSW Showjumping Championships at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre in August.

A shining light in the Junior Title class, which is for riders aged between 12 and 18, Rice-Ward placed first, second and fifth across her three events to be crowned NSW junior champ too.

Packing up and travelling to the national titles in Victoria for the nationals – the biggest show in Australia and hosted competitors from all states including the Northern Territory – Rice-Ward made it through the initial stage of the title race unscathed, before leaving her mark on the big stage.

The impressive young equestrian star will now turn her attention to local meetings before larger competitions in December.