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VEIS Saddleworld Grand Final 2015 – Georgia Barbic and Negotiable

SW Grand Fial

The past few months have been an exciting time for Georgia Barbic and her horse Negotiable (Rusty to his friends) as they have worked hard to qualify for the Victorian Equestrian Interschools Series, Saddleworld Grand Final which was held over the weekend of the 1st and 2nd of August, at Werribee Park.

Georgia is a year seven student at Assumption College in Kilmore and an active member of the school’s equestrian team and this series final has been a highlight of Georgia and Negotiable’s riding career. 

The Saddleworld VEIS Grand Final brought together more than 300 riders representing over 80 Victorian schools. The series commenced 10 years ago and aimed to ensure that equestrian sport for primary and secondary school students was fostered through the organisation of an on-going competition program for dressage and showjumping enthusiasts.

The Saddeworld Grand Final was the crowning glory of a fantastic 2015 competition series with entries from as far west as Warrnambool, and to the east, Bairnsdale, and from the north, as far up as Wodonga. 

Georgia and her mum Melissa camped at Werribee on Friday and Saturday night and had a great time “hanging out” with competitors from other schools.  

Despite Georgia and Rusty’s relative inexperience, they qualified for the VEIS Saddleworld Grand Final in both dressage and show jumping.

The event got started on Saturday with the Showjumping classes.  Georgia and Rusty competed in two rounds with a pleasing result.  At the end of a long day both Georgia and Rusty were very tired, so it was off to bed early … but not before some test revision for their dressage day.

Sunday was a very early morning with plaiting and grooming to be done to ensure that Rusty looked his best and the Assumption College fan club would be proud.

Georgia then rode the two preliminary dressage tests and impressed the judges who offered some very lovely positive comments.  Georgia said, “it was so cool riding on the beautiful outdoor arenas at Werribee Park, I have seen so many pictures of the facility and never expected that one day I would be there!”

  Georgia and Rusty
Georgia and Rusty
 

As part of an overall learning experience the VEIS Saddleworld Grand Final was a fantastic event for Georgia and she now has her sights set on the 2016 Grand Final.

Georgia said, “it was such fun to be part of this event and I want to thank Saddleworld for helping to make it possible.”