Young Rider: Maleah Lang-McMahon

YOUNG RIDER

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Last year, Maleah Lang-McMahon was awarded a Sport Australia Hall of Fame scholarship and was named Australian Jumping National Rider of 2020. That’s impressive, but as AMANDA MAC discovered, that’s not all.

How old were you when you first rode? Maleah Lang–McMahon’s answer is telling: “As soon as I could sit up, I think I was two, and I started Pony Club when I was four or five. Actually,” she laughs, “the first time I sat on a pony I fell asleep!”

Now 16 years old, Maleah lives in Waterford, Queensland. The daughter of Peter McMahon and Michelle Lang-McMahon, both of whom have competed at the highest level of the sport, her passion for jumping was never in doubt. “I love the thrill of it,” she tells me. “Every time I come out of the ring it leaves me wanting more, and asking myself how I can keep improving as a rider. It’s a unique sport that I’ll never tire

of, but like anything else, you have to be determined and put in the hard work to achieve the good results.”

Maleah has seven horses on her team, all of them either Warmbloods, or Warmblood Thoroughbred crosses. Her parents own four, including Capulet Ego Z and Vakarra Champagne; PSS Chantilly belongs to Chris and Gabi Chugg; Finch Farm Carlsberg is owned by David Finch; and Matilda, a four-year-old mare was bred, and is owned by Maleah.

Although 2018 and 2019 were both very successful years, 2020 proved to be a cracker. Aside from her prestigious scholarship and national title, she won her first Young Rider on PSS Chantilly at Tamworth, scooped first in the Larapinta Mini Prix with PSS Chantilly and Capulet Ego Z, second in the Stonewall Grand Prix on PSS Chantilly, first in the Speed Championships at Stonewall aboard Vakarra Champagne, fifth place in her first Grand Prix at Gatton with PSS Chantilly, and first in the 1.25m Championships, also at Gatton, on Finch Farm Carlsberg. That’s an amazing result by anyone’s standards.

But as Maleah points out, consistency and hard work are key: “I ride the horses six days a week and every day is a little bit different. Some days I freshen them up by taking them to the park, or hack them out on the race track. Other days I work on poles, making sure they’re listening to the aids. On Thursdays I normally have dressage lessons which I find very beneficial for both myself and my horses. I don’t normally jump my horses during the week, but if we have a show on the weekend I jump them the day before we leave.”

In the future, Maleah would love to train and compete in Europe: “I’ve always had a strong interest in how they train over there. I’d also like to keep improving both myself and my horses so we consistently compete at our best.” that goes without saying! I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today without them. Also to my coaches, Mum and Chris Chugg, for everything they’ve taught me. And to my wonderful sponsors: Jason from Trailrace Saddlery, Riverina Stockfeeds, Vet Gold with their amazing Bone Gold product, Equico Studios, and to the Sport Australia Hall of Fame for their continued support.”

There’s no doubt about it, Maleah is an inspiration. From all of us here at HorseVibes, congratulations – we can’t wait to see what you do next!

FACING PAGE: PSS Chantilly in the YRC Grand Prix jumping clear with one time fault (Image by Australian Jumping). TOP: Maleah and PSS Chantilly came fifth in their first Grand Prix at Gatton (Image by Jedd Johnstone, The J’Taime). ABOVE LEFT: With Capulet Ego Z in the Stonewall Grand Prix (Image by Australian Jumping). ABOVE RIGHT: Maleah won her first Young Rider with PSS Chantilly last year (Image by Oz Shotz). Championships.