After tragically losing her younger sister in a horse accident in May, Charlie Kinder has ridden her way to a first and third place in the junior final of the Showcase of Showjumping in Richmond last weekend.
Charlie, 16, said she was riding with her sister Billie in her heart, as she finished in first place on her horse Merry and third in the same final on her other horse Max.
Billie Kinder was killed in a horse accident in Pitt Town in May, when she was only 12 years old.
She too was a talented rider and writer, and had just won an academic scholarship for high school at Arndell Anglican College.
“Every time I ride I ride with Billie in my heart,” Charlie said.
“I’ll take her with me everywhere.”
Charlie’s win comes off the back of her biggest win to date at the Sydney Royal Easter Show earlier this year.
Fellow Pitt Town rider Sharon Slater won the feature event at the Showcase, The Winning Appliances World Cup Qualifier- the most highly internationally ranked showjumping event in Australia.
The Showcase of Showjumping is a two-star showjumping event held at Sydney Polo Club in Richmond each year.
The event began in 2010 and is run by the Winning family, who wanted to bring a world class event, like the ones held in Europe, to the Hawkesbury.
“I was really happy with my result, I have had my horse Merry for five years and I couldn’t be happier on him,” Charlie said.
“I have only been riding Max for a short time and for him to finish third was a really good result.”
Charlie said she it was a bonus that the Showcase was held locally, making it much easier for her horses.
“Having a competition of that standard so close to home means my horses don’t have to travel … being able to compete close to home is always a plus.”
Moving forward Charlie has a busy end to the year for competing with the Jump Club Summer Championships and the Summer Classic coming up.
She said she would like to one day compete in Europe.
“When I finish school I’d like to travel over there (Europe) and work in a stable and see what happens,” Charlie said.
Since Billie’s death a book of her work called Hope has been printed to raise money for and lift the spirits of children at Bear Cottage.
The donation is helping fund the hospital’s resident dog, Frankie, who visits the children and provides them with a unique type of therapy.
The book is a collection of her poems, narratives and artwork, and was put together by her family in her memory. Over 1200 copies have already been sold.
