I recently attended the Warrnambool Agricultural Interschool Dressage and Showjumping event for 2018 and witnessed three of our fine students: Sophie Kate-Shaw, Su-Ri Kim and Emily Buckland compete.

All three competed brilliantly with Sophie Kate-Shaw being awarded overall secondary Champion on the day.

We often speak about Football, Netball, Athletics, Swimming etc. but rarely anything to do with horses. All three girls clearly demonstrated many hours of preparation for the event, including enormous support from home. We should be very proud of all three girls who represented the College with high distinction.

At the conclusion of the event, I took the opportunity of asking Sophie a few questions about life and her Showing/Dressage commitments.

What do the competitions involve from you and your family?

Sophie: “Loads of traveling, competing at different levels and heaps of preparation.”

What kind of competitions are we talking about?

Sophie: “It’s been a busy year. In addition to Warrnambool, there has been the Royal Melbourne Show, Horsham Agricultural Show plus competitions in Murtoa, St Arnaud, Minyip, Donald and Kaniva- just to mention a few. I’ve also competed throughout South Australia and New South Wales.”

So how do you manage to fit everything in- to gain any sort of work or life balance?

Sophie: “It’s difficult but definitely achievable. My mum and family are very supportive and allow me to do pretty much everything I wish to do. I love competing. I genuinely love doing what I do but appreciate the need to keep my feet firmly on the ground. I’ve learnt to work things out in advance- to prepare for all commitments.”

Thanks Sophie