Thirteen-year-old St John’s College student Ryan Johnson-McNeil took out the individual point score from more than 600 competitors at the Coonabarabran Equestrian Expo.
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The Expo is held annually for students from Years 7 to 12 and this year attracted record entries from schools across NSW. Interstate competitors also made the long journey.
The expo is now the biggest school-based equestrian event in Australia.
The five-day horse event was held at the Coonabarabran showgrounds with the Coonabarabran High School and the community involved in the running of the competition.
Throughout the expo, riders competed in all aspects of equestrian activities.
The One-Day Event, comprising of dressage, cross country and showjumping was held during the first two days.
Also conducted at the same time was combined training, working horse challenge and polocross.
The following days were showjumping, hacking, dressage and sporting events.
More than 100 teams of three riders gave the large crowd heart-stopping entertainment in the team barrel racing.
Ryan competed in all facets of competition and gained the following placings:
2nd One-Day Event; Reserve Champion 13-years showjumper (1st and 3rd place); 1st Barrel Race; Champion Boy Rider 13-years and under; Champion Galloway Hack; 1st Pair Riders.
Riders were allowed two horses during the five days and Ryan rode his thoroughbred Bozie and his galloway hack Wynara Lyric.
He finished the five days of competition with a total of 40.5 points and was the winner of the 13-years age championship and then announced winner of the Coonabarabran High School perpetual trophy for Highest Individual Pointscore.
It’s is the first time a Dubbo student has won this award
The students enjoyed great social interaction with many friendships made and renewed, and all displayed a friendly, sportsmanship rivalry.