WILLOWMAVIN is home to a new world champion, with Broadford Secondary College student Jack Hamilton taking out the International Mounted Games for Pony Club Australia.
Mr Hamilton was the Victorian representative of the team in the United States at the Kentucky Horse Park, alongside New South Welshman Bailey Logus, Northern Territory’s Chelsea Davidge, Western Australia’s Ellie Steele and Tasmania’s Ruby Atkins.
The Australians beat out the United Kingdom for the gold medal, with the United States third, New Zealand fourth and Canada fifth.
Mr Hamilton, part of an equine-focused family, started riding at three years old, with mother Niree, aunt Renae and cousin Seren all competing in mounted games at a high level, with Seren competing for Australia in 2025.
He is also a member of the Woodlands Pony Club in Greenvale.
The games that Mr Hamilton competed in is a unique competition, one that brings together pony club riders around the globe over a 10-day tour of the host country, before competing at the end of the tour on borrowed horses, with riders taking on 10 different horses throughout the competition.
It’s the first win for Australia at the games since 2019.
Mr Hamilton has also taken out the National Junior Prince Philip Mounted Games championship for two years in succession and will be heading to the Northern Territory looking for a third straight win. Previously, he has been a part of the winning Kay Irving State Games teams in 2022, 2023 and 2024 with the Woodlands club.
The year 10 student has been sponsored by a wide range of local Mitchell Shire businesses, while coaches Dan Foster, Warwick Slade and his mother have all been credited with helping guide Mr Hamilton to success.
