Boggabri’s Laura Hall-Smith is on the cusp of competing in the Icelandic Horse World Championships with Australia’s debut team.
The Gunnedah Times previously reported on her selection for the championships in Birmenstorf, Switzerland, which is now just days away from beginning.
The Australian representative has been in Germany for the past three weeks to train with coach Anna Eschner to put the country’s best foot forward.
She revealed it was an “enormous” couple years leading up to this moment for her and emphasised the recent efforts of her team to prepare.
“We’ve been giving everything to this endeavour and pouring our hearts and souls into it,” Laura posted online.
The local rider was introduced to her
companion, Ballerina, earlier this month. The horse was described by Laura as “powerful, a mare to the core and absolutely beautiful, inside and out”.
“I couldn’t ask for a better group of people around me, supporting me in every way they can, and I couldn’t ask for a more perfect horse to be teaming up with to take on the world,” she wrote.
The venture has also been one of emotional, physical and financial significance.
To be on this journey, she has sold her Icelandic horse Týr, left one-year-old Wyatt at home and spent thousands of dollars.
“I’ve grown as an Icelandic Horse rider and I’m excited to see how much further I can push myself,” she wrote.
While Laura has felt out of her comfort zone, she acknowledged it was the way to learn.
Laura sees the championships as not only an opportunity to compete, but also to soak up information, and hopefully aid Icelandic Horse exposure in Australia.
“What we have learnt though has been invaluable, things that will not only benefit potential competition establishment in Australia and competition riding but also so much that translates to riding pleasure horses and setting them up for success!”
