Shenae Lowings is only 19 years old, but she was on a roll at the Sydney International Horse Trials campaigning no less than four horses with impressive results.
“I’ve got Ballyhoo in the CIC3* (6th) and Venture Sky High (2nd) and Kinnordy Gymeon (10th) in the CCI 2* and Parkiarrup Peregrine in the CIC2*.
“I train with Sonja Johnson, but have been based over here for about a month now, so I’ve been training quite a bit with Prue Barrett as well.
“Originally I was going home after Sydney last week. I have a part time job, so I rang them and asked if there was any chance I could stay longer. So they gave me the all-clear to stay until Melbourne, so now I’m doing that.”
Wow! That’s a good job!
“Yes they’re very good to me.”
Do you own all your horses?
“Parkiarrup Peregrine is owned by the Johnsons, and I’ve been riding him for just over 12 months now. The rest I own.”
Shenae and Ballyhoo
So eventing is your career now?
“Yes, I think so.”
Was this your first Sydney International?
“Yes, first one. It’s been a bit of everything really. It was hard with the horses because you have them ready for the event then we got an extra week and you think you’ll have them more ready, but I felt more prepared last week! But I’m really, really happy with how they’ve all gone.”
You’ll get to ride Sonja’s top horses while she’s away I hear.
“Yes, they get a week off then I get them for a week.”
Sonja told me you were going to improve their dressage out of sight when she’s back home. You enjoy the dressage?
“No pressure! I do love the dressage but I don’t love it enough to just do dressage. I would say dressage is my strongest phase though.”
Introducing the Saddleworld Rising Star
Australia’s only Rising Star – Young Rider award recognising excellence over all three Olympic disciplines. Each monthly winner will receive a prize from the Saddleworld Range. To be eligible, riders must be under 21 on January 1, 2016.
Winners will be selected for their performances at Young Rider Championships, and will also be considered for their performances in open events.
This month’s winner, Shenae Lowings, will receive a Pessoa Legacy Hanoverian Bridle valued at $270.00 and will be in the draw to win her choice of a Pessoa Heritage Pro valued at $4,295.00 or PDS Carl Hester Euro Pro Saddle valued at $4,395.00.