Interschool competition stands the test of time with numbers bigger than ever

ABOVE: Penelope Hommelhoff and Edgewood Tie Dyed representing Black Rock Primary School in the showing section. Picture: SHARLENE PHILLIPS of ONE-EYED FROG PHOTOGRAPHY

THE first equestrian competition for high school children took place at Pine Lodge in Queensland in 1984.

Harry Le Bherz OAM was the first president of the committee in its original Queensland Interschool Equestrian Association structure.

Harry was passionate about all equestrian sports and as a FEI official and a selector of Australian gold medal- winning eventing teams, he believed that youth development was an important part of securing a future for the equestrian disciplines.

Now 42 years on, the Australian National Interschool Competition is the biggest event on the Australian equestrian calendar.

The first national planning meeting to establish the competition took place in 2005, with Harry and Australian Olympian Gillian Rolton the driving forces.

The first event was held in Toowoomba and was hosted by Equestrian Queensland.

In Victoria this year, 600 riders aged five to 18 years from 163 schools gathered at Boneo Park on the Mornington Peninsula for the Interschool State Championships for dressage, showjumping and show classes.

Riders competed as individuals and in teams of four over five days, with the winners qualifying for selection for the national titles to be held at the Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre from September 28 to October 4.

This year’s champion team was Braemar College, with Tyler Gamble, Lily Clear-Graham, Summer Doyle Astin Leggett riding for the win.

Toorak College’s Abbey Restall, Lucy Charlton, Ruby Rose Eurell and Lara Gomez were reserve champions and Haileybury’s Ethan Sipthorpe-Foster, Pearl Hodson, Zara Woods and Maddison Mcglynn placed third.

Geelong College (fourth), Peninsula Grammar (fifth) and Emmanuel College (sixth) rounded out the placings.

ABOVE: Emmanuel College’s Bethany Dyson and My Custom Made were the senior 90cm jumping champions. Picture: ONE-EYED FROG

ABOVE: Lilah Carlile from Red Hill Consolidated School and Ballahowe Limited Edition competing in the combined training. Picture: ONE-EYED FROG

ABOVE: Haileybury’s 120cm jumping champion Olivia Curtain and Tulara Colchic. Picture: ONE-EYED FROG

The Nan McArthur Award recognises the highest performing all-round rider across the entire week.

Awarded to both a primary and secondary rider, the title celebrates versatility, consistency and a true commitment to multiple disciplines — embodying the spirit of interschool competition.

To be eligible, riders must compete across two or more disciplines, showcasing their skill, adaptability and horsemanship throughout the event.

The 2026 winners were Annabelle Richardson from Geelong College riding Merricks Fiore in the secondary division and Edward (Ned) Restall from Peninsular Grammar riding Bling Du Rouet in the primary.  

The secondary placegetters were Bethany Dyson from Emmanuel College (second), Bianca Griffiths from Finley High School (third), Jessica Lowe from Yarra Valley Grammar (fourth), Shayleigh Joblin from Geelong College (fifth) and Abbey Restall from Toorak College (sixth).

The primary runners up were Gracelyn Karakaltsas from Willowbank Primary School (second), Eva Stephenson from Upper Beaconsfield Primary School (third), Summer Doyle from Braemar College (fourth) and Quenelda Knowles-Mulholland from Loreto Mandeville Hall (fifth) and Heidi Dredge from Sacred Heart Primary School (sixth).

In the all abilities section, Charles Sheers from Somerville Secondary College was the dressage (walk, trot and canter) champion and Ethan Sipthorpe-Foster from Haileybury was champion in the walk only section.

While the competition was fierce, the fun aspect was enjoyed by everyone.

A carnival on the Wednesday night was full of laughs and smiles, featuring everything from face painting, fairy floss and popcorn to dodgem cars and an inflatable obstacle course.

ABOVE: Winner of the primary show hunter class Ella Cutugno of Loreto Mandeville Hall and Bordershow Charlemagne. Picture: ONE-EYED FROG

ABOVE: Amelia Smith and She's Enchanting from Beaconhills College placed fifth in the primary 60cm showjumping. Picture: ONE-EYED FROG

ABOVE: The Elementary dressage champion Bianca Griffiths and Benita PD from Finley High School in NSW. Picture: ONE-EYED FROG

Full results

View and purchased ONE-EYED FROG images from this event

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