THE Australian Showjumping Championships, the pinnacle event of the nation’s equestrian calendar, took place this year at the stunning Willinga Park, located on the New South Wales coast near Batemans Bay. Spanning six days of intense competition, the event brought together the best showjumping talent from across the country.
Thirteen-year-old Olivia Curtain from Phillip Island, a rising star in Australian showjumping, entered the competition with two of her mares, both of whom contested the Children’s Championship for riders aged 14 and under. This highly competitive event spans three challenging days, with each day seeing increased course heights to 1.15 metres and varying competition formats. The pressure to maintain consistency and composure over these demanding days is immense.
Over 50 top competitors from all over Australia vied for a spot in the final, with the last day reserved for the top 16 riders based on their performances throughout the week. Olivia secured a place for both of her mares in the final, with her eight-year-old Warmblood, Yalambi’s Luciana, qualifying in 14th place, and her 11-year-old Warmblood, Ngahiwi Lady Blu, securing an impressive fourth place.
The format of the final required competitors to carry forward any faults from the previous days. The top two riders started the final with zero faults, while those in third and fourth positions carried four and five faults, respectively, with the remaining competitors starting with higher fault counts. The pressure was on, as riders needed to navigate the final course without adding additional faults and within the allocated time.
Olivia and Ngahiwi Lady Blu rose to the occasion, securing a podium finish with a remarkable third place. This achievement was particularly sweet for Olivia, who had only formed a partnership with Ngahiwi Lady Blu in April of this year. In just eight months, the pair had already claimed several major titles and now stood among the nation’s elite in third place at the Australian Championships.
Olivia expressed her gratitude for the support that has been key to her success, including her family, friends, and coaching team. She also extended thanks to her personal sponsors – Prydes Easifeed, Equissage, Melbourne Brick, and Geohex – as well as Lever Equestrian and long-time mentors Phil and Frida for their invaluable guidance.
Now, after a demanding competition season, Olivia and her horses are enjoying a well-earned break before the 2025 season kicks off in January at Boneo Park. From there, she plans to take on more prestigious events across Australia and potentially overseas.
With her talent, dedication, and solid support network, Olivia is certainly one to watch in the coming years of competitive show jumping.
