Victory for Emily Ryder at Sydney Royal Easter Show

Gunnedah’s Emily Ryder earned a top placing in the Under 13 age group as she competed in the Pony Clubs Rider in Action event during the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

The 12-year-old Emily was among 36 riders from across NSW in the U13 age group, as it was the first time she had competed at the Sydney Royal.

The rider in action course consisted of flags, cavaletti jumps, bending poles and opening a gate before returning to the finish line and repeating the course in reverse order.

Competitors aimed to complete the course in the fastest time without being eliminated by knocking a jump rail or bending pole.

Emily maintained her focus amid adrenaline and nerves as she won the final and was up against bigger horses.

Emily said it was an exciting experience to compete at the Sydney Royal, while she enjoyed the atmosphere.

Emily had ridden her Welsh B pony mare – named Amaranda Summer Haze (also known as ‘Mouse’) – on a regular basis in competitions leading up to the Sydney Royal.

Emily and ‘Mouse’ competed at the NSW All Welsh Show in mid-March; ‘Mouse’ qualified and competed at the Australian Welsh Ridden Championships at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre.

Emily and ‘Mouse’ also competed at the Toowoomba Royal Show in late March, and achieved placings in all of their entered classes.

At the Gunnedah Show, Emily and ‘Mouse’ were awarded the champion show hunter large pony.

Emily said she would also like to compete at next year’s Sydney Royal, when she will be in the 13 to U17 years age group for the rider in action event.

Previously a member of the Currabubula Pony Club, Emily did show riding/leading rein classes and didn’t compete during the COVID period, and then subsequently became a member of the Gunnedah & District Pony Club in 2022.