Best Achievement by a Rider Aged 18 – 25 Years
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- Vanessa Davis, Gidgegannup Horse and Pony Club (WA)
Vanessa Davis is a highly valued senior rider at Gidgegannup Horse and Pony Club (HPC), renowned for her dedication, leadership, and active involvement within the club and broader Pony Club community.
Vanessa regularly attends Gidgegannup HPC rallies, where she role models commitment and enthusiasm for her peers. Whether she’s building showjumping courses, volunteering as a demo rider, or sharing her extensive knowledge as a vet nurse, Vanessa is always ready to help both coaches and fellow riders.
A seasoned competitor, Vanessa has represented her club at various state championship events. She leads by example, participating in these events even when a full club team isn’t available, often joining composite teams to ensure her involvement. Notably, in June 2023, Vanessa was part of a composite team in the Marsden Cup Games Championships with another local club, securing a victory.
Vanessa has also represented the Hills Zone at State Championships, including the 2023 Active Riding Championships, where her leadership helped the Hills Zone achieve first place in the Novelties event. Her commitment to sharing her experience extends to advising other club members on how to pursue competition opportunities in disciplines such as Active Riding, Showjumping, and Eventing.
In her own time, Vanessa participates in horsemastership and theory sessions with the Chief Coach, working diligently towards completing her B Certificate. She has attended multiple Zone clinics as part of this journey and is well on her way to achieving this prestigious milestone later this year.
Beyond her club, Vanessa has represented Pony Club Australia in the 2023 Pony Club International Alliance Virtual Showjumping competition. Her passion for Showjumping is evident in her role as the Gidgegannup HPC Showjumping representative on the Hills Zone committee, where she regularly attends meetings and contributes her insights. She is a vocal advocate for the rider’s perspective and leverages her expertise to support the Zone’s showjumping activities.
Vanessa has taken on the important role of Showjumping Coordinator for Gidgegannup HPC, organizing the discipline for the club’s two training days and annual One Day Event (ODE). In this role, she liaises with course builders and judges, ensuring the smooth operation of each event and its success for the club.
The Gidgegannup Horse and Pony Club committee is unanimous in its support of Vanessa’s nomination, recognizing her exceptional contributions both as a rider and as a committed volunteer.