By Casey O'Connor
Show jumping always draws a crowd at the Stanthorpe Show. The non riders among us in awe of riders and horses as horses sail seemingly without effort over jumps responding to their riders’ commands.
Competitors are well versed in following the well trodden path of the Show circuit.
On Saturday there was a young lady, Gwenaëlle Lecerf competing in Stanthorpe. Her journey has been quite different to most.
Now based on the Gold Coat Gwenaëlle Lecerf, is originally from New Caledonia. She made the permanent move to Australia in December with her two jumpers Asdecoeur (who she rode at the Stanthorpe Show) and Hermess a three year old Selle Français ( a French breed of Sports horse bred specifically for jumping) to further her craft.
Lecerf who has based her horses at Beaudesert placed third in the 1.05 class in Stanthorpe. Prior to coming Australia she won the New Caledonia championships in the 1.25-1.30 class.
Gwenaëlle had been planning to compete at the upcoming Allora Show but her horse Asdecoeur was found to have an abscess on his hoof after the Stanthorpe Show. After treatment and a week off she is hopeful he will be fit to compete at the Clifton and Pittsworth shows.
It will be interesting to follow the progress of this rider and her well travelled horses in the coming months.
