Rider jumps at chance to take on Australia's best

TACAPS students saddles up for Australian Interschool Championships.

GOOD FORM: TACAPS student Tara Wilkinson guides Harmony Hills Fabio over a jump. Wilkinson be part of the Queensland team competing at next month's Australian Interschool Championships. Picture: Contributed

SHOWJUMPING: Horses have always been a part of Tara Wilkinson's life.

Following in the footsteps of her parent, the now 16-year-old has been riding since the tender age of three.

So naturally she is most at home around horses and loves few things more than show-jumping.

"I love being around horses, they've always been a part of my life,” Wilkinson said.

"My partners have always had horses so naturally I grew up riding and following them.

"And I love the sport (equestrian), it's very social and friendly.”

Currently on holidays the young student will now turn her focus to the upcoming Australian Interschool Championships.

The TACAPS student will compete in the Secondary Show-jumping 120cm competition as part of the Queensland team.

"I've been competing at nationals since I was in year 6,” she said.

"It can be a little bit nerve racking but when I feel that I just take a step back, breathe and think positively.

"I focus on all the things I can do and the things that could go right for me.

"You have to try to be calm because horses will react when they sense you're stressed.”

Wilkinson also focuses on the all the preparation and training she undertaken and the relationship she has built with her horse Harmony Hills Fabio.

"You need to trust your horse and it needs to trust you,” Wilkinson said.

"You build that trust through experience.

"I ride every day and all the other things like feeding them, caring for and working with them matter as well.”

Good preparation and a calm demeanour also help.

"Horses love routine, but you can't keep doing the same thing over and over in training because they'll form bad habits,” Wilkinson said.

"I'm usually working a few of my horses and focus on lots of different things to improve.”

The championships will be held in Werribee Victoria with 82 riders, from 64 schools forming the Queensland team.

Originally published as Rider jumps at chance to take on Australia's best