Listed: Top ten young SA eventers with sights set on Adelaide Equestrian Festival
World class riders are set to gallop into town for the Adelaide Equestrian Festival but there are plenty of up-and-coming SA talents waiting to steal their thunder.
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As Adelaide prepares to host elite equestrians, local stars are keenly eyeing off the ultimate goal – the chance to compete at the biggest horse sport event in the Southern Hemisphere.
An Olympic qualifying event, the Adelaide Equestrian Festival will return to the East Parklands from Thursday for four days of action.
But it takes a lot to reach the qualifying rounds for the Olympics and although many fan favourites are set to return to contest this year’s event there are plenty of high achieving emerging riders waiting to move up the ranks.
Meet 10 of the best young up and coming eventers from South Australia.
Millie Treloar
Age: 19
Town: Echunga
Some would say Millie Treloar was destined to live a life in the saddle.
Born to two horse-loving parents who are heavily involved in the equine industry, the Echunga athlete says she was born to ride.
“I’m pretty sure I’ve ridden my whole life,” Treloar told The Advertiser.
Since starting eventing about a decade ago, the young sportswoman said it was a special relationship with her horse Carbon that had seen her excel over the past few years.
“I initially wanted to show jump with him, but after dad took him out eventing, I thought I wanted to have a go with him. Over the past two years especially we’ve really climbed up the ranks, and we’ve got such a good bond.”
Competing at this year’s Adelaide Equestrian Festival in the 3-star competition, Treloar’s goal is to eventually compete at 5-star level with Carbon.
“It would probably be the dream though to head to the Olympics or somewhere overseas like Badminton,” she said.
At only 19, Treloar has achieved greatness in the sport, which she does alongside working as a vet nurse.
“I’m really just so excited to be competing at Adelaide this year,” she said.
“There’s something about riding in my home city, at an event I’ve watched and admired for years. And it’s really just down the road, so to have an Olympic level event here is incredible.”
Emily Ashby
Age: 19
Region: Adelaide Hills
Young eventer Emily Ashby has been riding for as long as she can remember.
“The earliest photo of me on a horse is when I am 5 months old and my mum is holding me,” Ashby told The Advertiser.
“My grandma taught me the basics of riding on her horses and I started having formal lessons at around 6 years old. I got my first pony at 7 and joined our local pony club a few years later.”
The Adelaide Hills woman chose to compete in eventing because it is the “pinnacle display of horse training”.
“You need a horse that is athletic, brave and fast, but also careful and rideable.”
Competing on her main 14.3hh Warmblood x Riding Pony Pablo (otherwise known as Don Roccardo), Ashby said she would “love to go as far as I can” in the sport.
“My dream would be to one day compete 5-star at Adelaide, but I’m in no rush,” she said.
“I have a young horse who I am working up the levels and he has a lot of scope, but the most important thing to me is making sure he is confident and fit enough to move up a level, rather than getting there as fast as we can.
“I would love to compete him in the Adelaide 3-star one day as he definitely has the scope for the height.”
Courtney Munro
Age: 20
Town: Nairne
Young gun Courtney Munro has turned her love for horses into a business, training for both her own ridden career and to help other riders with their horses.
The 20-year-old from Nairne has been riding since she was four, and said she had always loved the adrenaline of being out on a cross country course.
“I love the challenge of having to perfect all three disciplines and the partnership required between horse and rider,” Munro said.
“I’d love to one day represent Australia, but to compete at the top of the sport would be an absolute dream.
“I have a team of lovely young horses both warmbloods and thoroughbreds that I absolutely adore.”
Connie Miller
Age: 23
Region: Adelaide Hills
After learning to jump at a young age Connie Miller has never looked back and now has been riding for over a decade.
“Eventing is brilliant, I love that there are three phases,” Miller said.
“Both you and your horse have to be confident in all three disciplines in order to be successful.
“Having a horse that can be calm and relaxed in the dressage ring then bold and brave and fit for the cross country and then super careful and rideable for the show jumping is a challenge but that’s what keeps it interesting.”
Miller has been riding her off the track thoroughbred Tui (known competitively as Delicato) for five years, progressing from Eva80 up to 3-star.
“I have no doubt we will get to 4-star in the next year or so,” she said.
“Once Tui is confidently going around the 4-star tracks my plan is to sell her on to a young rider to show them the ropes and then I most probably will head back to the UK (where she was born) to gain some riding experience over there.
“Perhaps I’ll end up buying a horse and eventing over there – not entirely sure, but for now I’m just going to enjoy the ride and see where life takes me.”
Ella Oszczypok
Age: 26
Region: Adelaide Hills
At just 26, Ella Oszczypok has made a pretty big name for herself in the eventing scene, but is also known for her business endeavours on the side.
A qualified designer, Oszczypok launched her equestrian clothing business Cavele in 2022, creating luxurious riding wear for every day and competitions.
But it is her achievements in the arena and on the cross country course that have earned her a spot as one of the state’s best up and coming eventers.
Currently piloting Kirby Park Impress, who was formerly owned by Olympian and SA sportswoman Megan Jones, Oszczypok competed at the Melbourne International Three Day Event last year, with a myriad of other interstate and local events also ticked off her list.
Amelie Morelli
Age: 17
Town: Biggs Flat
Teenager Amelie Morelli began riding when she was only five and eventing at 11.
With a dream to represent Australia, the 17-year-old – who is currently completing Year 12 – said she would also love to work in the equine industry one day.
“I would love to train young horses and introduce them to the eventing scene as this is what I have really enjoyed doing with my young horse the last few years,” Morelli said.
Currently competing on two horses – Rocco and Louie – she has progressed through the levels to now be competing at 1-star.
The Biggs Flat teen said she could feel the excitement and joy from her horses when they’re out competing.
“As a rider, it is an incredible and comforting feeling when you know that your horse is happy and willing to try their hardest for you as they truly love what they do,” she said.
Claire Nitschke
Age: 22
Town: Woodside
This young eventer has been competing since she got her first pony in 2023 and now she has her sights set on the Adelaide Equestrian Festival.
Claire Nitschke said she loved the sport because riders need to have strong bonds with their horses in order to excel in all three phases.
“I recently retired my one star horse Darby. He took me to one star and we also did a lot of dressage,” Nitschke said.
Named as SA Youth Horse and Rider of the Year 2023, the Woodside athlete is now working with a new horse and training him in hope of competing at the end of the year.
“As long as he is enjoying what we are doing, I’m also happy to continue competing and going through the levels at local events here in SA,” she said.
Chloe Jong
Age: 22
Chloe Jong has had a cracking start to the 2024 eventing season, competing in both interstate and SA shows with great results.
Jong’s most recent achievements include contesting the 2-star competition at the Wandin Park event in Victoria and competing at local showjumping clubs.
Chelsea Clarke
Chelsea Clarke is another passionate rider travelling the country to compete with her team of horses.
She most recently competed at Reynella Horse Trials, as well as contesting the 2-star class in Tonimbuk in Victoria.
Clarke was named 2022 Interschool National Champion with her horse Highfields Chiquitas Chico.
The pair won the 2-star class at Mount Gambier Horse Trials in November last year.
Kaitlin Teichert
Age: 19
Kaitlin Teichert is no stranger to tackling the eventing scene around Australia.
The 19-year-old recently won the 2-star class at the Reynella Horse Trials, after placing seventh in the 2-star class at Wandin Park in Victoria.
Teichert is learning from some of the best in the industry, having attended clinics with the likes of world champion Lucinda Green.
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