Sixteen-year-old Gabe Smith from Phillip Island is fundraising to support his equestrian dreams.

The 16-year-old from Phillip Island has been selected represent Victorian in the National Interschool Competition in September, in Sydney, and the National Mounted Game Championships in Canberra in October.

To help fund the trips, and realise his dream of competing in the 2023 World Championships, Gabe is holding a sausage sizzle this Saturday, August 20, at PETstock in Cowes, between 10am – 2pm. He’s also running a raffle – thanks to generous donations from local businesses – which will be drawn on September 16.

Gabe’s mum Natasha Robinson said attending the different events was a costly process and Gabe is hoping the fundraiser will help cover the costs of entry fees and travel.

Riding to success

Gabe has been a member of the Phillip Island Pony Club for 10 years and has been selected to represent Victoria in both Show Jumping and Mounted Games.

He qualified in Show Jumping to enter the VEIS - National Interschool Competition to be held in September at the International Equestrian Centre, Sydney. He’ll be riding Sweetwood Valley Firefly, his Clydesdale/thoroughbred gelding.

Natasha said Gabe enjoys show jumping but his passion is Mounted Games. 

“Mounted Games is like no other equestrian event, it is a fast-paced and adrenaline packed,” she explained. “Riders need to be fit, they need to have the ability to reach down and collect an item from the ground from a fast moving pony; they need to put a sword through a 2-inch hole while riding one handed at a gallop; or vault onto their pony often crossing the line without stirrups. There are a magnitude of events and skills needed for this discipline.”

Gabe, along with his sister Gisele, will be competing at The Australia Mounted Games Individual Championships in Gunning, New South Wales, in October, in the U18 and U15 respectively. Gabe rides his Games Pony, his Cremello Quarter Horse, Baloo and Gisele her Riding Pony, Sweet as Honey.

Finally later in October, Gabe will be representing Pony Club Victoria with his team at the Prince Phillip National Mounted Games Championships in Canberra. For this event all states fly into Canberra and compete on borrowed ponies, so it is a real test of their ability. 

“Gabe’s goal is to be selected for the 2023 World Championships to be held here in Australia next year,” Natasha said. “Only one rider from each state will be selected. This is most probably the only time this event will be held in Australia while Gabe is a competitive rider.”

Natasha said Gabe was extremely grateful to Peter and Leanne at PETstock in Cowes, and Lynda and Troy from Phillip Island Equipment Hire, for their generosity and sponsorship.

Support Gabe to achieve his equestrian dream by heading down to the sausage sizzle on August 20, between 10am and 2pm, at PETstock, 149 Thompson Avenue, Cowes.

Raffle tickets will be available on the day and can also be purchased at PETstock and Phillip Island Equipment hire.