Kye has been selected to compete in the Tasmanian Team for the Australian Interschool Championships (Equestrian) in September in Sydney and the Tasmanian Team for the Australian Pony Club Champs in Werribee in October. Kye is 16 years old and this will be his first time representing his state. He has been riding since he was 7 years old on leased ponies and his current horse Shazadi Texas Ranger (Bobby), is the first horse he has owned. 

Kye and Bobby have been selected in the Show Jumping 90cm and the Combined training (Show jumping and dressage) 80cm for the Interschool Championships. Kye has applied for the Show Jumping for the Australian Pony Club Championships. Kye is in the lucky and rare position to have the opportunity to compete in both National competitions within the two week period which has not occurred since prior to 2020. 

The cost to compete and travel with horse and rider to both competitions is over $10 000 and we are seeking some assistance through sponsorship to make this trip possible.

Kye is a very hard-working student in Year 11 at Mackillop College. He also has a carpentry apprenticeship at O'Briens Joinery 2 days a week and he works at Coal Valley Equestrian Centre. This trip is a once in a life-time opportunity for him and the experiences, friendships and learnings will be invaluable. Kye plans to stay involved in the equestrian community well into the future as a competitor and eventually a coach.

Kye is an enthusiastic member of Dressage Tasmania, Jumping Tasmania and Monmouth Pony Club. He has developed strong friendships in his pony club, and he has worked his way through the various proficiency education certificates on offer. He is one of only 4 male riders in the club. The Pony Club values are unity, honesty, innovation, inclusivity, kindness, and horse welfare—these are at the heart of everything Kye does as a Pony Club member and in the equestrian community. Kye will share his knowledge and learnings from his travels with the Pony Club community and he hopes to eventually become a coach to assist others. The experiences from this trip will provide him with invaluable insights into the requirements for both horse and rider to travel and compete at a high level. 

There are significant costs with transporting a horse to an interstate competition on top of the usual horse management and general day to day costs to prepare a competition horse. These costs include the team costs, the horse transport, rider and parent transport, accommodation, travel and the usual day to day feeding and equipment costs. Kye would be incredibly grateful for any assistance that is provided.

Kye's achievements this season have included:

• Jumping Tasmania South, Autumn Show 90cm 1st
• PCT State Championships, grade 2 dressage 2nd
• Jumping Tasmania South, Australia Day Show 85cm 1st
• PCT State Championships, grade 3 show jump 4th
• Dressage Tas Southern Zone Series, Highest point scorer, Champion Novice, Champion Young Rider
• Dressage Tasmania, nomination 2025 Young Rider of the Year