Australia has a strong tradition in equestrian sport and there is no disputing the role of Pony Club in developing riding skills and team participation.   A number of schools now offer “Horsemanship” as a sporting option and this has seen the emergence of Inter-School Championships, which provide a more specialist focus for young riders and give great opportunities for camaraderie and sportsmanship.

Tayla Desmet is a young rider who is planning a future with horses and she has her sights set on representing Australia at the Olympic Games and World Equestrian Games, sometime in the future. 

14 YO Tayla started riding at her grandfather’s farm when she was 5 years old.  For those with a long time interest in Warmblood horses, Tayla’s grandad Jean-Claude Desmet owned and operated St Achuel Stud in Yarrambat, where he stood the imported stallions King and Duellschutz.   Her dad Phillip rode and has fostered the interest in his children. 

Right - Tayla Desmet and her dad Phillip.

Tayla recalled the early days riding with her brother Harrison and their Shetland ponies Cactus and Cosmos.  Jean-Claude returned to his homeland – France, where he continues an interest in horses as a recreational rider.   Tayla’s parents Phillip and Donna kept the horsey interest alive and have a property in beautiful Macedon Ranges town Newham.

Pictured above - Tayla and Rodrigo (Ringo)

Tayla was a member of the Woodend Pony Club for 6 years and fondly remembers her club days and the support that she received.  “Pony Club was a great time for me, I loved riding with friends and preparing for Pony Club events.  The horse care and theory subjects are an important part of equine education and my instructors at Woodend were fantastic.”

The Desmet family live in the city, but spend as much time as possible with the horses.  Tayla attends Melbourne Girls Grammar and is actively involved in cross-country running, which keeps her riding fit when away from her horses.

In July, Tayla became the 2014 “Small Tour” Champion (Prix t Georges) at the Victorian Inter-school Championships at Werribee Park, riding Coldstream Park Eastern Ridge (aka Liam).   She is currently preparing for the National Inter-schools Championships.

Liam (now 16 years old) and Tayla have been together for 4 years under the watchful eye of coach/instructor Leigh Dunstan who advised the family that Tayla would benefit enormously if she had a well-trained Grand Prix horse, so that she could learn the “feel” of the movements and hone her riding/horse training skills. 

Leigh is a long-term friend and associate of Australian World Equestrian Games representative Maree Tomkinson, who owned and trained the magnificent imported gelding Rodrigo and Tayla has now become his new owner.  Tayla will continue to work with Leigh … and Maree will help her with Rodrigo who will continue to live at “Tomkinson Group Dressage” which is based at Hidden Valley in Wallan.

Above right - Tayla and Rodrigo show their style with the magnificant style of Tuscany behind - pictured at Hidden Valley in Victoria.

Tayla is looking forward to Maree’s return to Australia, following an amazing campaign at the World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France and hopes to share some of Maree’s success secrets.  Tayla and Rodrigo will make their competition debut in October at Werribee Park, she said, “there are some fantastic competitions for young riders and I am aiming for CDI-Y and perhaps the Marcus Oldham Challenge which gives the winner the chance to go to Aachen, Germany for some training and experience.”

Tayla added, “ I am very lucky to have been with a wonderful horse like Liam.  He has taught me so much, but Rodrigo will take me to the next step.  I am very grateful to my parents for their support and my coaches Leigh and Maree, who are behind me all the way!”

Regional riding clubs are the “heart” of equestrian endeavour and give riders of all ages a home base, the company of like-minded friends and regular instruction which helps them to progress their ambitions.