Talented young rider Tessa Forbes of Bullsbrook has been selected to represent Australia at the 30th Annual World Mounted Games Team Championships in Ireland this July. This month Tessa was also nominated for the Australian Super Career Kickstart Award, one of six categories in the Western Australian Young Achiever Awards. The winners will be announced 14 March. 
In 2015 Tessa rode as the WA pony club rider in the Australian Team that attended the Junior Prince Philip International Mounted Games in Lexington Virginia USA from July 14-28. “The Australian team rode the best they have ever ridden and were ecstatic to come home the winners by one point against Great Britain” said Tessa’s mum, Sue Forbes. The coach from SA, Tim Moreton, said, “Each girl’s riding ability was outstanding and during the two weeks in Lexington they were excellent ambassadors for Australia.”
There were 20 games to take part in and they included all pony club events which tested the riders’ agility, strength, stamina and concentration. “It was an outstanding effort by the whole team and demonstrated well the depth of Australia’s young and upcoming equestrian riders,” Tim said.
After suffering a bad fall at home last year, when she broke both her tibia and fibula bones in her lower left leg, Tessa has just has just been given the all-clear to start riding again this January – just in time to prepare for what looks like another big year for the teenager.
Before Ireland she plans to do a road trip across the Nullarbor with her pony Blondie to compete in Wentworth, NSW in March for the Individual Under 18’s AMGA National Competition. In May she’ll fly over to Albury NSW to practise alongside her team-mates going to Ireland. As a nominee, Tessa was asked to help with the presentations at last year’s RAC WA Sports Star Awards, and got to be on stage with Basil Zempilas, and other WA sporting heros at the awards night. Just days later she received notification that she had been selected to compete in Ireland. “What an amazing life journey she’s had so far at just 16 years of age,” says her proud mum, Sue.
The trip to Ireland will cost her about $8000 and any local businesses wishing to help by way of sponsorship would be gratefully received. You can contact Sue Forbes on 0414 386 760.
