Young guns Ben Hamilton from Willowmavin and Lexie Kelly from Gisborne competed in the Mounted Games Australian Pairs Championships earlier this month in Braidwood, NSW.
The mounted games are a series of very fast races, exciting for participants and spectators alike. Ben and Lexie and won the Under 12 Mounted Games Nationals Pairs Championships by 11 points.
Ben was crowned the champion of the Under 12 Individual National Mounted Games held at Ballarat in May this year, and Ben’s horse Rainbow is no stranger to competition either, this is her fifth title!
Coach Dan Foster said it was exciting to see the pair at the top of their game.
“The Under 12s division is an exciting one to watch,” he said.
“Kids as young as six come up through the ranks. To see these two be at the top of their game in this age group is fantastic. They both rode amazingly and deserved the win.”
So, what’s next for the dynamic pair? Well, Ben will be competing in The Mounted Games of Victoria events which are part of the free attractions at the upcoming Whittlesea Show, and Ben and Rainbow will be riding in the main arena on Saturday and Sunday from 9.30am.
Ben and Lexie will compete in the Under 15 Australian Mounted Games Nationals Pairs Championships events next year, and boy are they excited!
Incidentally, Ben and Lexie both have generations of champion mounted games riders behind them. Ben’s brother Jack, cousin Seren, aunty Renae and mum Niree all compete in the thrill-seeking sport, and Lexie’s mum Lou and uncle Richard also have a very long and successful history in the sport.
The Review would like to congratulate Ben and Lexie on their success and wish them all the best at the Whittlesea Show.