Local equestrian rider Maddi Allen heads to America for competition
As part of a lifelong pursuit, a local equestrian rider is heading to Texas to compete in the World Championships.
Mildura
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Local equestrian star Maddi Allen has already been all over the country showing off her skills on horseback.
Now she’ll get the opportunity to take her skills overseas and strut her stuff for the American crowds.
Maddi, 15, was riding pretty much as soon as she could, and although the early years were tough she persevered to become one the nation’s best young riders.
“I have been riding since forever, since I was born basically but I didn’t start showing competitively until I was about 8 or 9, it did get a bit tough sometimes but I loved it so just kept going,” she said.
Since then Maddi has been all over the country competing in everything from local shows to national competitions and has loved every moment of it.
“When I was eight or nine I started showing around Sunraysia, then in 2018 I went to my first national show at 10 years old,” she said.
However in more recent years, shows have had to be put on hold for Covid.
One of her biggest challenges was earlier last year when she started the selection process for the national team heading to Texas in 2023.
“We had a week-long camp in Tamworth, that was pretty much riding and showing for selectors the whole week,” she said.
“It was really hard because of course everyone wants to win, but in our industry everyone is just happy to be there and we take everything in our stride.”
After making the national team Maddi is heading to the US later this year for her first international show.
“I’m a little nervous about going to the states, but mainly I’m excited,” she said.
“It’s such a great opportunity to meet people and makes some friends … there are local at these kind of things so maybe you’ll get a job.”
Maddi’s family has set up a GoFundMe to help with cost of travel.
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