My names Kahla,

 I’m year 11 student at Kolbe College.

My first horse was a rocking horse.

My dad and mum bought me this rocking horse and I never got off of it. One day my parents organised a surprise trail ride at a riding school, from then I was always with a horse every weekend. At a young age of six I attended weekly lessons for a few years, then I leased my first horse George, who I won my first ribbon on-I was hooked. After George was Cobber and then there was Harvey, next was Splash and now I’m riding my beautiful mare Leedale Kariss. Kariss and I have been together for 2 years now, competing at D grade, about to move up into C Grade.  We have been attending Serpentine PC for 2 years now. Over the period I have owned her we have competed in interschool’s, summer series, dressage champs and numerous ODE’s always finishing well. I won my first ever rug at Peel ODE within the six months of owning her (: We have also participated in many clinics and hacking events. My goal for Kariss and I this year is to compete at c grade eventing and novice dressage level.  Kariss has helped refine my skills as a rider.

Over the few years I’ve been at Leedale I have had the privilege to ride many other exceptional horses as well, young and experienced.

I’m Kristie Smith, year 12 at Frederick Irwin (finally). I have been riding at Leedale for six years now, 2011 will be my seventh. My sister and I were taught to ride on Leedale Royal Albert by Liz, late 2004. Since then I have competed on Dalakee High Society (Genie), the legendary Leedale Vogue (Vogue) who taught my sister and I all the ropes, and I also got a chance to ride Rebecca Hackett’s Springmount Patrick (Fatty) for all of 2008. After Patrick I moved on to my current horse Leedale James Dean, who is half brother to Liz’s Leedale Distinctive Guy. James is turning seven this year, and I have had him since he was four. He’s a super little horse, so willing, and has proven to be a legend in the making. We have competed in State Interschool, Dressage, Showjumping and Eventing Champs, hacking/breed shows, and numerous two day events throughout the years, representing Serpentine Horse and Pony Club. We have attended clinics with Sonja Johnson and have gotten James jumping over 1* cross country jumps. Currently eventing at C grade/Intro 1, hopefully moving up to B grade/Prelim at the end of this year. If all goes well (and Mum lets me), little James will take me to A grade/Pre-Novice end of 2012! Thanks to Elizabeth for all her help and instruction over the years, hope I’m doing Leedale proud J