A successful competitor with a string of successes behind her, Amanda is a full-time professional rider, a popular clinician, a…
2022 Winners
Kelly Bridgland
Kelly is a show jumper and EA Intro coach (now well on the way to gaining her Level 1 Accreditation) who competes with heart horse Showtym Burrow at 1.3m in Young Rider events. She loves the whole idea of the Delivering Dreams program and the principles that drive it: “The fact that I won is fantastic, I’m so happy. And I’d just like to thank the judges, the sponsors and Equestrian Hub for such a great opportunity.”
Kelly began her jumping career in 2015, spending more than five years training with Vicki Roycroft as a working student, followed by two stints at Showtym Sport Horses in New Zealand, which is where she first met Burrow.
A firm believer in giving back to her sport she’s a Sydney Eventing committee member, regularly volunteers at dressage and eventing competitions, and was instrumental in Sydney Eventing delivering their first Acknowledgement of Country.
Kacey Ledger - People's Choice
Pony mad from the very start, by the time Kacey Ledger was eight years old she had joined Pony Club and was competing in games and horse trials at state level – and it wasn’t long before her passion for show jumping took hold.
Now an Acknowledged Retrainer with Racing Victoria, she and her husband rehome OTT Thoroughbreds, as well as breeding racehorses and performance horses. Not one to rest on her laurels, she’s currently establishing an all-weather arena: “I want to educate and rehome as many horses as possible to increase my professional profile and to assist with the arena costs,” she says.
Another goal near and dear to Kacey’s heart is to compete with her home bred Warmblood at Grand Prix level, beginning with Mini Prix competitions over the coming months. She also has a five-year-old Thoroughbred mare who’s showing outstanding talent over fences. “I hope to see her doing well at some exceptional events in the future,” Kacey tells us – and given that Kacey’s father-in-law competed at World Cup level, achieving her show jumping dreams could be the start of an exciting family tradition.
2021 Winners
Emma Hulse
Emma believes that accessing expert tuition through Delivering Dreams will help her to achieve her goal of competing at Medium dressage and EV105 level by the end of 2022. Beyond delighted to be selected as the sponsorship recipient, she says the extra tuition will help to ensure she’s well-prepared and able to compete safely and successfully: “But, arguably more importantly, it would help me achieve my ongoing goal of having a true and harmonious partnership with my horse. I want to be able to provide the best for him, he deserves the world.”
A firm believer in giving back to her sport she’s a Sydney Eventing committee member, regularly volunteers at dressage and eventing competitions, and was instrumental in Sydney Eventing delivering their first Acknowledgement of Country.
Nicole Mutimer - People's Choice
A rider since childhood and now a full-time equestrian coach and trainer, Nicole Mutimer has proved to be a successful competitor in several equestrian disciplines. She’s also holds a Diploma in Equitation Science, and is a passionate advocate for improving horse welfare through ethical horsemanship practices.
Nicole, who owns and operates Darwin Equestrian Academy, currently holds clinics for women all over the Northern Territory, and has set herself the goal of offering clinics interstate.
Amazed by the response she received to her Readers’ Choice post, Nicole admits that it wasn’t easy to promote herself. “I don’t think anyone is particularly comfortable with that, so I was actually really humbled by the people who responded to my post. It was very encouraging and validating.”
2020 Winners
Luke Purtill
Darwin-based Luke Purtill is a 20-year-old dressage rider. He also has a disability and has had many health problems, but he doesn’t let that hold him back. Riding in Prelim, Luke usually scores in the low to mid-60s. Besides competing in mainstream dressage, Luke has joined the Special Olympics in Queensland and has to fly to Brisbane to train and compete.
I like to show everyone that having a disability doesn’t have to stop you from reaching for your dreams and doing amazing things, explains Luke.
In response to being awarded the Delivering Dreams Scholarship, Luke says: I was shocked and didn’t know what to say. Mum cried! I am just so excited and want to say a huge thank you to HorseVibes and all the wonderful sponsors for allowing this opportunity. I’d also like to say a massive congratulations to Jamie Hocking for sharing this scholarship with me. I can only hope I can be as amazing as him!
Jamie Hocking
Jamie Hocking, a 23-year-old equestrian vaulter, spends his time between Australia and Denmark. He’s the current Australian National Vaulting Champion and has been for the past three years. He is also ranked 17th in the world. Around his intense vaulting training program, Jamie raises money selling wool and sheep from his flock on the family sheep farm. When in Denmark, he makes ends meet by living in the stable with his horse and doing the barn work.
I was really honoured to be selected, especially as joint winner alongside fellow Aussie equestrian athlete, Luke Purtill. I really appreciate every bit of help I can get. I don’t have a sponsor and sometimes it’s a challenge to support myself, so winning something like this is a real leg up, shares Jamie.
2019 Winner
Billy Morgan
Our inaugural Delivering Dreams Scholarship winner, 18-year-old Billie Morgan, is a trick rider from Bundaberg, Queensland.
She is not only steadily working towards her ambition of becoming a full-time trick rider.
She gives back to her community through her work with horses and people with the RDA, winning two national RDA awards for her efforts.
“The Delivering Dreams Scholarship has been amazing for helping me receive the extra tuition I needed to take me to the next level. I look forward to watching the progress of all the equestrians who are awarded the Delivering Dreams Scholarship.”
Billie Morgan.
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