By Meg Kennedy<\/p>\n
A young Bacchus Marsh horsewoman was awarded one of the top-spots at a prestigious national championship event in South Australia last month.
\nMallory Kitching-Cruickshank, 17, was awarded the title of National Junior Champion Handler with her horse Caballeriza \u2018Cavvi\u2019 Cavalier, reclaiming the position for the second year in a row, as well as the National Junior Equitation Champion at the AHAA National Championships in McLaren Vale, South Australia, from 12-14 April.
\nMallory focuses on riding Andalusian horses, which are traditionally from Spain, and competed in dressage, handler, Spanish horse and hacking classes across the three-day competition, being the only junior competing in most classes.
\nFor Mallory, who started riding just five years ago, a love of riding runs in the family.
\n\u201cMy mum spent many years riding and performing on Andalusians at the old Bacchus Marsh Lion Park and the stories she told me about them made me want to own my own Andalusian,\u201d she said.
\nHer experience this year is one that she says she \u201cwill not forget\u201d.
\n\u201cWhen I was awarded the National Junior Champion again, I have to admit I cried, so did my mum.
\n\u201cIt was very emotional and I\u2019m so proud of my horse and myself, he did amazing for an old boy and got extra apples in his feed that night,\u201d she said.
\n\u201cI wouldn’t have got there without the support I received, not just from Mum and Keith but from my sponsors; I have to give them a huge thank you, they all made it possible.\u201d
\nWhile she is currently taking a gap-year to become a riding instructor, Mallory hopes to continue her streak of competing, and further her passion for riding.
\nHer determination is to be admired.
\n\u201cIt may take a while, but my goal is to one day ride in the Olympics and the World Equestrian Games, and I\u2019m determined to achieve it,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By Meg Kennedy A young Bacchus Marsh horsewoman was awarded one of the top-spots at a prestigious national championship event in South Australia last month. Mallory Kitching-Cruickshank, 17, was awarded the title of National Junior Champion Handler with her horse Caballeriza \u2018Cavvi\u2019 Cavalier, reclaiming the position for the second year in a row, as well […]<\/p>\n