‘Now not only for women’: younger equestrian hopes to encourage extra boys into the game


  • An 11-year-old who has taken phase within the nationwide vaulting championships hopes to encourage different younger boys into horse game.

    Ollie Rowles, who competes with 17hh Irish game horse Barney, stated he’s made up our minds to turn others that equestrianism is for them, having began vaulting virtually a 12 months in the past.



    Ollie has featured in Boys Trip Too mag, and has now been named the e-newsletter’s legit vaulting ambassador.

    “I used to be speechless to start with and more than happy to be recognised,” he stated. “I started vaulting closing Easter; there used to be a category at the backyard and I actually sought after to provide it a pass, however the magnificence used to be all women. I used to be a bit of disheartened that I will be the most effective boy within the membership and used to be not sure if it used to be for me, however I made up our minds to provide it a pass and I’m so glad I did.”

    Ollie, the one boy in Suffolk Vaulting Membership, trains two times per week with coaches Anne Hardwick and Annika Seivert. He stated his favorite a part of the game is being a part of a pas de deux group; he and his spouse Sienna got here 3rd on this magnificence on the English championships closing September.

    A spokesman for Framlingham Faculty, at which Ollie is a scholar, stated he used to be “made up our minds to stamp out gender stereotypes within the equestrian international and display that there’s various acceptance and alternative for younger boys in amateur and newbie areas”.

    Ollie added: “I believe there’s a loss of boys my age in equestrian sports activities as a result of many don’t know what else you’ll do. Maximum suppose it’s simply showjumping – however there’s so a lot more you’ll do, and vaulting is excellent for the ones at each newbie and complicated driving ranges, or for those who like being energetic outside however is probably not fascinated about box sports activities like rugby or soccer.

    “I’m hoping my new ambassador function will encourage and inspire extra younger other folks to get out of doors and feature a pass at a brand new game.”

    Ollie’s fresh festival effects come with 2nd position within the particular person magnificence at Moreton Morrell Faculty, and a win within the pas de deux. He has 5 extra occasions deliberate this 12 months, together with the British championships in October, at which he completed seventeenth in 2023.

    Ollie’s mum Joanna, stated: “Being an envoy is a smart accolade and we’re so pleased with Ollie; he’s an inspiring illustration for boys within the equestrian international.

    “Vaulting has been an unbelievable new enjoy for Ollie. It’s this kind of disgrace that boys don’t seem to be represented extra on this age team with equestrian disciplines.

    “Along bettering health and power, now we have spotted that vaulting has taught Ollie in regards to the significance of teamwork and duty, and has helped to broaden appreciate, agree with and braveness.

    “Ollie is a smart function fashion for younger boys and we are hoping this may occasionally inspire others to check out one thing new and for extra boys to soak up equestrian game.”

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