Charlton Pony Club local, Charlotte Stewart, will represent Australia next month in Mounted Games in New Zealand as part of the prestigious Horse of the Year (HOY) event held annually.  

Charlotte was selected as part of the team competing at HOY by the Australian Mounted Games Association committee.

The Equestrian discipline of Mounted Games is a “fast-paced competition that showcases the rider’s athletic ability, agility, precision of riding and general horsemanship”.

Charlotte has previously represented Victoria twice at the Prince Phillip Mounted Games Nationals, in Canberra in 2022 and Benalla in 2023.

Under the guidance of her coach, Desmond Haliday, Charlotte will spend the next month preparing for this next exiting adventure.

The Australian team of 5 plus reserve, consists of 3 Victorian riders, two from NSW and a Western Australian rider. The riders will compete on borrowed ponies sourced from New Zealand locals and have therefore been selected for their ability to ride a variety of horses as well as for their individual mounted games skills.

In addition to the team event, Charlotte will also compete in the pairs competition with fellow teammate Brodie Haliday-Tough. Charlotte and Brodie have competed as a pair previously at State level, obtaining the title of State Under 18 Pairs Reserve Champions at Ayr Hill last year, coming second to world champion team riders Gabe Smith and Ryan Bissicks.

Charlotte and the rest of the Australian team are honoured and excited for the opportunity to represent their country overseas and further promote the sport that they are passionate about.

This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 16 February 2024.