Teegan Ashby impresses kids at Bossley Park Public School

The students at Bossley Park Public School were today treated to a visit from accomplished equestrian athlete Teegan Ashby.

Ashby, who hails from Howlong, west of Albury, is in town to compete in the Sydney International Horse Trials. She will contest the CIC1* three-day eventing competition with her horses Ipso Facto and Hawk Noir Psh.

Although only 20 years of age, Ashby is no stranger to high level competition. In 2014, she won the CIC3* in Canberra and CCI2* Sydney with her 13-year-old warmblood cross thoroughbred gelding horse Rockingham No Reason.

Also in 2014, Ashby was part of Australia’s successful Young Rider team which defeated New Zealand at the Oceania Eventing Championships at the Melbourne CIC2*. The 20 year old has been selected for the Young Rider team which will travel to Taupo (NZ) in May for the 2015 Oceania Eventing Championships. 

Ashby met the students from kindergarten and years one and two, and gave them an insight into her sport – which she started at their age.

“I started riding on the farm when I was very little,” Ashby said. “The story goes that if I wanted to get my mum’s attention I had to be sitting on a pony as she was also a rider.

“I began competing in local shows and pony club events when I was about eight on a naughty grey pony called Rocky. He had two gears – go and stop!”

“It was a great to be able to visit the students at Bossley Park Public School today and give them an insight into what we do as equestrian riders.

“They had a great time playing some of the games from the Ready Set Trot program and learning how to trot and canter as well as all about the different parts of the horse.

“Hopefully they’ll be cheering me on this weekend.

Bossley Park Public School prides itself on having sport and physical activity as a valued and accepted part of the school’s curriculum, believing it contributes to the development of the whole child.

The kids were clearly impressed by Ashby’s stories and inspired for their own sporting futures.

“Teegan was amazing, I hope I get to see her in the Olympics one day,” said one student. 

The Sydney International Horse Trials will be held at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre, Horsley Park from 1 -3 May.

For more information, go to www.sydneyeventing.org

Follow the event on twitter @sydneyeventing @SydHT