Boggabri rider to compete in Australian-first across the world

Boggabri’s Laura Hall-Smith is set to compete in an Australian-first – the Icelandic Horse World Championships.

Nineteen countries will contest the championships in Birmenstorf, Switzerland, from August 3-10.

The event will feature Icelandic horses and riders in sport and breeding from across the world.

Laura, a former member of the Gunnedah Times’ team, owns several Icelandic horses but will compete on loaned mounts for Australia’s maiden representation.

Just three riders make up the Aussie contingent including Birgit Kossmann and Eira Backan.

“We train in Germany prior to competing, so I will fly to Munich,” Laura said.

“This gives us three weeks to train and prepare on our borrowed horses so it’s not much time.

“The final team was selected in

February this year, with our coach, Anna Eschner and team manager Susanna Wand flying over from Germany for in-person lessons and clinics.”

Laura has been reaching out to potential sponsors and busily fundraising for the event, which is entirely self-funded.

All up the trip is expected to cost between $20,000-$25,000 per rider.

“[This] goes to show how committed we are,” Laura said.

The experienced horse rider is juggling the commitments of representing Australia for the first time, with raising a young family alongside partner Cecil.

“I have been balancing work, training and raising Wyatt (1 years), and am incredibly grateful for the support of my partner Cecil and my mum Gillian,” she said.

The trip will be a big undertaking for the Boggabri representative but one she feels honoured to be part of – hoping to inspire other young Australians to get involved in Icelandic horses and “aim big”.

“The main goal for Australia’s representation is to learn and make invaluable contacts to continue to grow and develop the breed here in Australia,” Laura added.

“Being able to acquire new skills and knowledge to help build up the breed here and eventually hopefully start competitions in Australia is a huge honour.

“I want to inspire the next generation of riders to pick up the reins of Icelandic Horses and take on the world.”