Resounding success for the 2024 Marcus Oldham Australian Interschool Championships

Last week’s Marcus Oldham Australian Interschool Championships in Tamworth saw 420 riders and 490 horses compete, and the event was a resounding success.

The 2024 Marcus Oldham Australian Interschool Championships Teamwork Trophy, which was voted on daily by a panel of five independent people, for the state showing the best team spirit and teamwork, was awarded to Queensland.

Equestrian Queensland CEO Briston Toft said the event was a huge success.

“On behalf Equestrian Queensland I congratulate and thank all the volunteers, officials, parents, supporters and competitors involved with the event who contributed to the making competition a memorable and enjoyable experience”.

“Equestrian Queensland is grateful to event sponsors without whom the Championships could not have proceeded. Key sponsors included Marcus Oldham, Johnson's Natural Formula, Wideland Group, Cavaleira Equestrian, JnK Collective, Edward's Saddleworld Toowoomba, Portable Horse Stables, Chaballo Equestrian, The Horse Den, OMG Equestrian, Gold Coast Luxury Homes, and Eurofloat".

More than 400 riders and over 2000 supporters, officials and volunteers from across Australia participated through the week in dressage, show jumping, combined training, show horse and eventing. Teams travelled from Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory and New South Wales to compete. Pool Horses were generously provided for those Tasmanian, Western Australian and Northern Territory riders who required them. We would like to acknowledge and thank the pool horse owners for their support.

Event Director, Patrick Lowe has said

"The decision to hold the event at AELEC in Tamworth was met with great enthusiasm as it gave every rider an opportunity to ride on some world class surfaces"

"It was great to see the enthusiasm and excitement from the riders throughout the competition. The cheering and display of team colours is what makes this competition unique. Congratulations to all riders and their horses as well as their support network. It is a substantial commitment to participate at a national event and you should all be proud of your efforts" he said.

Queensland was victorious in the team event winning the prestigious Harry Le Bherz Perpetual Trophy with 7466 points, New South Wales finished second (7390.5 points) and Victoria was third (6921.5 points), WA fourth (2729 points), SA fifth (2735.5 points), the NT (1259.5 points) and TAS (158 points) teams were commendable with small teams.

The Northern Territory team claimed the inaugural EA Interschool Trophy, awarded to the state with fewer than 50 riders that achieves the highest accumulated points on a handicapped basis.

Pictured: Queensland Captains, Lottie Ostwald & Bridgette Dalmau accepting the Harry Le Bherz Trophy (left) & Teamwork Trophy (right).

Pictured: Northern Territory Team with the EA Interschool Committee Trophy

Other 2024 Marcus Oldham Australian Interschool Championships special award winners were:

• Show Rider Trophy: Jessica Callus & Rebelle from NSW
• Tammy Rhodes Dressage Trophy (Best Peformance Dressage) – Bridgette Dalmau & Bon Jovi MH from QLD
• Cross Country Award - Closest to Optimum Time Eventing Trophy – Abigail Fosnaugh & Monahan Vagabond from VIC
• Combined Training Trophy – Georgie Constable & Highland Dancer from VIC
• Finch Farm Champion Show Jumping Rider Trophy – James Hosie & AMC Ajaccio NZPH from QLD

Pas De Deux was a great addition to the event and was an amazing spectacle, performed outside under lights to music, the costumes were fabulous and performances entertaining.

Event Results 

Team Placings and Special Awards 

Event Photographers

Equestrian Queensland would like to thank the volunteers, sponsors, pool horse owners and the hundreds of horses, riders and their supportive families for making this year’s event so successful and enjoyable.

The biggest thank you also to the volunteer organising committee who brought this all together! Patrick Lowe, Clinton Peters, Matt Ostwald, Monique Searle, Tracey Sexton, Alex Sorensen, Ken Sorensen, Emma Twine, Annabel Twine, Brooke Kelly, Andrew Lowson, Piper Wise, Kirstie Ferguson, Sarah Hoolihan, Anna Starosta, Piper Searle & Georgia Bradford. The time and effort that was put in is immeasurable and truly appreciated.

Equestrian New South Wales will host the 2025 Australian Interschool Championships at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre.