Although their most experienced competitor, Sonja Johnson had to withdraw,18 combinations from Western Australia took part in the Australian International 3 Day Event
Jess Manson, the winner of the CCI4* at the Australian International 3 Day Event, was by no means the only Western Australian in Adelaide for the big event
There was a large and vocal contingent of Western Australian supporters at the event cheering on their many riders who had travelled several days to compete in Adelaide. They thronged the stands and were clearly identifiable by their Team WA shirts which listed every rider from the State. These supporters had plenty to celebrate - as well as Jess winning the 4*, Tegan Lush finished in sixth place and there were six Western Australians in the top 10 of the CCI2*
AEL blogger Tegan is one of the many young WA riders who are actively ensuring that eventing continues to flourish by organising events and taking over the reins on committees that support eventing in WA. Olympic medallist Sonja Johnson has also been a source of inspiration to many young riders who hail from the far west of Australia, proving that it can be done without permanently re-locating although some do spend time on the eastern seaboards or overseas
For one young WA rider, it was her first time competing at the big event and she achieved her goal – to complete the CCI2*. We spoke to Kenya Wilson, one of the youngest riders at the Australian International 3 Day Event, just before she left on the long trek over to Adelaide and then caught up with her at the end of the competition to find out how the whole experience had been
Kenya
Kenya (right) was also part of the second placed WA/NSW Young Rider Team with Emily Gray (WA), Sarah Dawson (WA) and Isabelle Bowditch-McIntyre (NSW - not pictured)
