Meet the Queensland Interschool Captain

Bree Robertson is proud to be captaining the Queensland team for the first time, especially given that the Marcus Oldham Australian Interschool Championships are being hosted in her home state this year.

Bree is very appreciative of all her mum’s help and hard work behind the scenes and has aspirations to one day join the Queensland Police Service Mounted Unit.

How exciting is it to be named as a team captain?

"To be named captain of the Queensland team is extremely exciting but also rewarding. I’m very honoured to be given the role of QLD Captain. I have always looked up to my captains in previous years and now being privileged enough to be awarded captain is tremendous."

Have you ever captained an Australian Interschools Championships team before and what is your past competition experience and success at this event?

"I have never captained a national team before but have been a part of the Queensland team 7 times and have been placed in a number of individual events and teams."

Tell us about your team and its members and some of their strengths?

"This year the QLD team consists of 100 riders and 105 horses, with families travelling from all over Queensland. My vice-captain Tom Coggan and I, have a leadership team of 12 other captains to help organise the team and encourage team spirit. QLD is a massive state and the team is filled with exceptional riders who topped their disciplines at the State Championships."

Explain a bit about the preparation for this event?

"Throughout the whole Interschool season, keeping my horses in work and good condition is a big part of the preparation. Balancing this with school work, my Mum helps me a lot with feeding and rugging which really helps in how successful my horses turn out."

Interschools has become a huge event now, hasn’t it?

"I began Interschools in 2009 and since then the quality of horses and riders has improved along with the size of the events. The national titles are now a prestigious event, it is the top-level competition for most school students. Being a previous competitor at both state and national events, this year has seen the QLD state championships become more competitive and both rider and horse standards have significantly improved. This strengthens the faith I have in the Queensland team, as they really are the ‘cream of the crop’."

What does it mean to be involved?

"To make the state team is a huge achievement as you have to compete against some of the best riders in the state to secure your spot on the team. To be involved in the National titles is not only about the competition but also the atmosphere of this prestigious event. Being surrounded by competitors that you share similar passions with, sets up for a positive environment for us to all compete doing what we love."

What are your aspirations for the long-term future, do you hope to one day represent Australia at the elite level?

"My long-term goal is to be a part of Queensland Police Service Mounted Unit. After Nationals, I’m selling my horse as he has taught me all he can, however, I hope to continue riding and competing in the future and coaching younger riders."