Finding the horse power at Olympics
SHE’S the only Australian rider in the top 50 of the under-25 Grand Prix world rankings and now Rosanna Relton is on the lookout for a horse that can take her all the way to the Olympics.
Relton has hit a careerhigh 18th in the Federation Equestre Internationale world rankings, jumping 37 places in the under-25 category after winning three consecutive events at Willinga Park in Bawley Point, on the NSW south coast.
It an incredible result for the 21-year-old Bond University student and her horse Four Winds Bombadier which she has ridden since she was 14.
But Relton knows to get to the next level, she will need to move on from her childhood horse and raise some serious cash to be any chance of competing at the elite level.
“It’s mind-blowing to be in the top 20 riders,” said Relton, who has almost finished her Bachelor of Business at Bond. “It is very exciting and vindication I am on the right path. I never thought we’d be able to do it. Bombadier tries so hard for me, and although he’s probably not the best quality horse we manage to hold our own even against the high value imported horses.
“I’ve grown up with him. He was my soundboard through my angsty teenage years and my best friend. It’s a special relationship and it will be sad to see him retire.”
Relton said the Olympics were her ultimate dream but she lacked the “horse power” to get there.
“As a rider I’ve developed through the levels,” she said.
“I have wonderful coaches who train the best in the business.
“I need to secure a horse that I can form a relationship with. The ideal situation would be finding a sponsor or syndicate to purchase a horse of the quality necessary.”
HE WAS MY SOUNDBOARD THROUGH MY ANGSTY TEENAGE YEARS AND MY BEST FRIEND