Champion jockey Jamie Kah rallies behind rising star equestrians’ World Championships bid
Champion jockey Jamie Kah has rallied behind two of Australia’s best young equestrians trying to get to Europe next month for Mounted Games World Championships.
Champion jockey Jamie Kah has rallied behind two of Australia’s best young equestrians trying to get to Europe next month for Mounted Games World Championships.
Cowes-based Gabe Smith, 18, and sister Gisele, 14, need $42,000 to fund a trip to Italy and France in July to represent Australia in World Team, Individual and Pairs events.
Mounted Games, a fast and furious pursuit for adrenaline junky equestrians, was the conduit for Kah to pursue a career in the saddle.
“It is the best way to start your career,” Kah said.
“People can be active in pony club or showjumping but this is next level compared to that.”
Kah, 28, competed nationally and internationally in mounted games from eight to 14 before she began her jockey’s apprenticeship.
“It teaches you so much balance,” Kah said.
“You vault on and you jump off and I’ve had so many near (race) falls but managed to pull myself back on, it’s just like second nature.”
Melbourne Cup Tour ambassador Kah, a 14-time Group 1-winner, met Gabe and Giselle at a Victorian mounted games event and was awestruck by their talents.
“If he (Gabe) was half his size he would be the next top jockey. He’s that talented,” Kah said.
“I’d love to get some of the big owners involved (fundraising) … to help the next generation of racing participants.”
Kah has donated $1000 to help the Smiths raise the last $31,000 needed to represent Australia in Europe.
Riders are responsible for their entry fees, travel and horses expenses.
Gabe is set to compete in the U18 World Team Championships in Arezzo, Italy in July before he and Giselle contest the World Individual Challenge in La Scuderia, Italy, and World Pairs Championships in La Bonde, France.
The 2024 Melbourne Cup will make its first Australian stop at Cowes on Friday after a successful Tokyo and New York odyssey.
Donate to the Gabe and Giselle fundraiser HERE.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/just-send-it-smith
— with Brad Waters
Originally published as Champion jockey Jamie Kah rallies behind rising star equestrians’ World Championships bid
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