SINGLETON’S young riders are leading the way in showjumping.
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After his success at the Youth Olympics in China in 2014, Jake Hunter was named equestrian young rider of the year and was in the top five for the NSW sport young athlete award, a first for showjumping.
Hunter is now competing in the Sunshine Tour in Spain.
The 18-year-old is based in Ireland and has been given the opportunity to ride three horses at the four-week overseas event.
His achievements in Australia were recently recognised with Hunter named among the next generation squad for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Although in order to compete with other hopefuls, he requires a sponsor with the right horse for world class competitions.
“He’s having a gap year but the contacts he made from the Youth Olympics saw him invited to come train with the Irish Olympic trainers who are one some of the best in the world,” mother Gail Hunter said.
“It’s a great experience for him because showjumping is massive over there.”
Closer to home, his brother Cade Hunter continues to perform well in the lead up to one of the biggest events in the country, the Sydney Royal Show.
The young sibling has been riding on his older brother’s horses and getting similar success.
He’s now been invited to attend a showjumping clinic with renowned trainer and former Olympic rider Oliver Lazarus at Sydney’s Yandoo Equestrian facility.
His most recent rides were at the Maitland Show where he won the junior overall on Jake’s horse La Laina and qualified for the Sydney Royal Show after 58 riders nominated to be in the juniors’ category.
He will be defending his championship in the junior division from last year and will ride his own horse Kelstar at this event.
Kate Roots is another rider from the Singleton area and her horse Benture Beyond won most successful thoroughbred at the Maitland Show and she came second as young rider.
She will join Cade at the Royal Easter Show’s showjumping showpiece.
Adding to Singleton contingent is Bessie Traylen, who’s travelled from Perth during a gap year to train in the Hunter Valley with an aim to compete in the Sydney Show.
The Hunters are sponsored by Tuff Rock, Ceba and Oakwood.