Lane to ride for Australia
Horsham teenager Morgan Lane is among a contingent of eight junior equestrian athletes set to represent Australia in China next month.
Morgan, who is a member of Horsham Pony Club, will travel to Gold Saddle Equestrian Centre in Guilin, China, as part of a show-jumping competition from October 22.
While in China she will compete against athletes from the host country as well as New Zealand and Singapore.
Morgan’s mother, Jo Lane, said Morgan was excited to win selection for her country.
“This is the first time she has represented Australia,” Mrs Lane said.
“It is a competitive process; you have to nominate to go through the selection process.
“She’s only ever nominated once before, and this time she’s been chosen.
“You have to be between the ages of 12 and 15 to be selected, so they’re looking for up and coming young riders.”
Mrs Lane said Morgan was picked not only for her riding prowess, but her excellent sportsmanship and demeanour.
She said besides the competition, the goal of the trip was to help develop Chinese riders.
“Pony Club in China is very much in its infancy, so Pony Club Australia has been heavily involved in getting the organisation up and running in that country,” she said.
“As part of that, Pony Club Australia chooses young riders from all over the country to travel to China to compete.
“While our riders are there for the competition, they’re also supporting and encouraging the development of the Chinese riders.
“They look for people who have a good spirit of competition and are positive role models who will represent Australia well.
“You’ve got to be a good representation of sportsmanship from our country, because it’s not just about your ability, it’s how you behave in competition.”
Mrs Lane said selection in the Australian team was a great reward for Morgan’s dedication to Pony Club.
“It’s really exciting for Morgan to go over there to compete because she works hard,” she said.
“She really puts in and trains, and is out most nights fitting it into the grand scheme of her world with school and everything else.
“She has goals and she wants to go places with her riding.”