Jess bounces back to ride
BARWON Heads’ Jess Barton is confident she can overcome recent setbacks to perform well at the Australian Showjumping Championships in Werribee this weekend.
Barton suffered a fall last weekend needing stitches in her ear after the horse trampled her.
She had to withdraw from the Senior Championships competition and instead has entered in The Mini-Prix.
The need to regain some confidence in her horse was a contributing factor in her decision.
“I have spent a month and half away competing in Queensland and Adelaide and have been in some good form competing,” Barton said.
Her horse Volador, who will be one of the three horses she will ride in Werribee, isn’t as straightforward as most horses.
“He’s a bit of a weirdo but has plenty of personality,” she said.
Barton and her partner Steven Pateman love travelling across Australia pushing themselves in both showjumping and racing, but said it’s great to be able to compete back in her home state.
“We are so lucky we can do what we love together,” she said. “It is a real treat to come and compete in the ASJCs.”
The Olympics and the World Equestrian Games are the ultimate goals for Barton but she admits there are a lot of steps left to put herself in contention.
“Showjumping is not as cut and dry as people may think,” she said.
“There are so many variables involved and it is really one step at a time.”
The ASJCs finishes tomorrow and features some of the stars of showjumping and horse racing including Michelle Payne, Mick Price and Peter Moody.