3 minute read
Young Rider: Georgia Hodgetts
YOUNG RIDER
Where there’s a will
Georgia Hodgetts fell hard for horses, but the rest was up to her, writes SUZY JARRATT.
The Hodgetts were always horseless until daughter Georgia fell in love. “They
became my passion but I wasn’t allowed to have a horse until I was twelve,”
explains the 22-year-old show jumper. “Mum was scared of them and my brothers were into another kind of She was given a horse on one condition: ‘do everything yourself’. She began learning the ropes, working for elite riders, taking lessons and competing at shows. Just nine years later Equestrian Victoria named her Young Show Jumping Ambassador for 2021
One thing she couldn’t do as a youngster was drive to shows. “My mum, Angela, did that and because she was bored at these events she became a jumping judge and had something to do when I was competing. These days I drive my own truck.”
Her dad has remained on the sidelines running the family’s concreting and earthmoving business, which Georgia works for. “He did come to an Interschools event when I was 18 and I remember he was very good at cleaning my yard. He’s still not very interested in horses!”
Several Victorians, who are serious equestrians, have been influential in her development as a rider. She got her first show jumper with the help of Debbie McMaugh, one of her first coaches. “She found April, a TB mare, and together we won a few ribbons and an off the track class at Geelong,” recalls Georgia. “It was Deb and April who really started my love of show jumping.”
In Year 12 she worked for Jess Barton, a former show rider from Warrnambool. Now a World Cup jumper, Jess has
trained many young horses through to the top levels of competition. During her gap year, Georgia spent time with the popular jumping duo Amanda and Tom Lupton. “They’re like my second parents,” she says, “they helped me get into the sport and with selecting Corinda who I’ve now had for three years.” This combination has been doing well.
By Bellhaven Coraldo (WB) out of Donna Iris, a NZ TB, Georgia keeps 11-year-old Corinda on the Hodgetts’ Warrnambool property. “There’s a shed with three stables, a big outdoor arena and forty acres so I’m very fortunate and grateful to Mum and Dad who are my biggest sponsors.”
She considers Corinda her ‘heart’ horse and credits the bay with helping her reach many goals, including qualifying for the Current Stars at Dressage & Jumping with the Stars in March. Although Georgia didn’t win any ribbons – she pulled a couple of rails – she was thrilled just to be in there. “I didn’t think I’d even be able to get around the class!”
Sometimes, as she walks a challenging course, she is overwhelmed. “I start thinking ‘I cannot do this’, but I’ve supportive friends like jumpers Russell Morrison and Sam Conway who calm my nerves. And I know Corinda will do her best to look after me.”
She feels that mares are generally more forgiving than geldings or stallions: “Although she can be a massive pain when she’s mean to other horses. Because she’s a bit hot I get to shows a day early so she can relax. Each week she has Mondays off, a lunge on Tuesdays and I ride her on the other five. I’d like to take her up a level over the coming months,” she adds.
Georgia also spends a lot of time teaching at Pony Club. “I’m very grateful to those people who inspired me in the early days, and I want to do the same for other young riders and help them achieve their goals.”
