State Trials 2026

Pony Club State Trials – Grade 3 Masters

by Taylee Carr 

I was very fortunate enough to be offered to ride “Rudi” in early 2025 who has been around pony club competing for many years with Maeve Jacobs. I have been riding Rudi for 12 months now, we built a connection and bond very quickly and he opened my eventing world to being fun and enjoyable again. The small things we take for granted.

This year, more than anything, I’m just grateful to have made it there. To have a season where things started to come together again. Being able to enter the start box on XC and come home via the finish flags with a smile and having a fun ride is a win within itself, same with SJ. Rudi is by all means not an easy horse to ride, anyone who sees Rudi heading towards the start box on XC will say “hold on tight!”. He’s a strong TB but has a heart and passion for jumping!

And then somehow, unbelievably—we took out the win! I think I went in with 0 expectations of winning and just so happy to be there, then Rudi looked after me and we finished the weekend on Double Clear in all areas. It was a tight scoring board however against the other amazing riders!

None of this would have been possible without Rudi his family for allowing me the opportunity I've had with him the last 12 months. He knows and loves his job, and it was exactly the mental break I needed after retraining my OTT.

I’m also so grateful for Pony Club Tasmania for giving us senior adult riders the opportunity to compete at State Trials. The atmosphere within the pony clubs and of course the ongoing support from my Family. The weekend of Trials is more than just your average weekend competition, it's full of fun and everyone gets together and enjoys every minute. The support is everywhere and the team sportsmanship is incredible, not only from your own club but from every single club in the state. At the end of the day that’s what it’s all about.

I didn’t just win my first Grade 3 Masters Pony Club Trials, I proved to myself that I could keep going, and that sometimes, the hardest paths lead to the most rewarding finishes.

I am hoping this year if Master Trials goes ahead again I can bring out my other horse after his time off. Hopefully Rudi can step up a grade if that’s also a possibility for Master riders! I hope everyone else enjoys their Trials experiences as much as I have.

Taylee Carr and Rudi. xx