Queensland pony riders ready to go big on national stage

By Andrew Smith

Queensland racing's next generation will have the opportunity of a lifetime when they take part in the finals of the National Pony Racing Series at Royal Randwick this weekend.

Seven young hoops from the Sunshine State will compete against the best junior riders from across Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and New South Wales in the Large and Small Pony categories at the All Aged Stakes Day on Saturday.

The series was launched last year by Thoroughbred Industry Careers in partnership with Pony Club Australia, consisting of six qualifying race days across the country, with the top two finishers in each heat booking their spot in the finals.

Antonia Maggiolo and Amber Kahler will be leading the charge for Queensland after winning their respective qualifying races at Eagle Farm in August last year.

15-year-old Antonia saluted in spectacular fashion on her mount Lexi in the Large Pony qualifier in winter, and is hoping to repeat the effort on the national stage.

“I’m very, very excited to be racing at Royal Randwick - it should be a really good experience, and knowing that it’s one of the best tracks in the world,” Antonia said.

“I’m very excited to take Lexi down there, and it’s a massive opportunity for us.

“She’s a can-do pony, she trains with our thoroughbreds and warmbloods, and anything they do, she thinks she can do better…she’s just a real go-getter, a real overachiever and she’s just such an amazing pony.”

There is a touch of added pressure for the Year 10 student from Canungra, with Antonia to don the colours of the Chris Waller Racing stable.

She had previously met the superstar trainer who has been following her journey in the pony racing series closely.

“Pre-race at Eagle Farm I heard from him - he told me to stay balanced in that race and stay safe, and hopefully we’ll see him at Randwick,” Antonia said.

“I was nervous but it was very exciting - he’s definitely someone I would want to work for in the future.

“It was such an amazing feeling flying across the track with Lexi, it’s definitely something I want to do in the future now that I’ve had a taste of the pony race.”

Success on the racetrack is no surprise given Antonia’s family background – her grandfather Mick Hanna won two Darwin Cups as a jockey, grandmother Liz trained horses, and her mother Anne Salmoni has ridden her whole life, competing in the Royal Queensland Show.

Antonia also competes in showjumping but it’s on the track where she sees herself heading in the future, with thanks to the new pony racing series.

“I definitely want to win the Melbourne Cup, and follow in Michelle Payne’s footsteps - me and my Nan watch the races at home, and I definitely never wanted to be anything else, always a jockey, since I was really little.

“Being part of the series, I’ve learnt about the safety and health of my horse, I’ve learnt how to bridge my reins, and how to stand two point properly.

“If kids want to be a jockey in the future, I think it’s an amazing experience and it opens up a lot of doors and a lot of opportunities for little kids.”

As a former rider herself, mother Anne recognizes the value of the series in helping her daughter becoming a star hoop.

“That’s her dream, and she’s certainly chasing it so we will support that whilst ever we can but that’s what she wishes to do,” Anne said.

“We cannot believe that this little pony has opened up these doors for Antonia - we initially bought Lexi as a show pony and she’s just gone on to show us she can do such more than that.

“Never in our wildest dreams did we be thinking we’d be taking Lexi to Sydney to race at Randwick, it’s phenomenal.

“This whole preparation, not only for us but everyone through Thoroughbred Industry Careers, has been massive and a huge thanks to them for organising the program.”

The series participants, who range in age from nine to 15, are also given an insight into careers in the thoroughbred industry.

While in Sydney, riders and their families from across the country will enjoy visits to some of Australia’s biggest stables, including talks from leading trainers, as well as training at Warwick Farm in the days leading up to Saturday.

It will be a slightly different itinerary for Amber Kahler and mother Lisa, who won’t head south until late on Thursday after taking part in the first day of the Toowoomba Royal Show.

Amber’s mount Little Jack will head down early to train and adjust to conditions, with the 18-year-old pony to go around in the Small category.

“It’s unbelievable - I remember when we saw it advertised and we thought it would be something fun to give a try and I never thought I would be here, this is just amazing,” Amber said.

“I’ve had Little Jack for a while, I was quite small when we first saw him,  and we actually got him as a jumping pony….he’s got so much personality, he’s just really fun to have around.

After a dominant win to qualify at Eagle Farm, the 12 year-old Amber will wear the Arrowfield Stud silks when she lines up at Randwick.

The 12-year-old will have the entire population of the small town of Goombungee cheering her on.

“I’ll try my hardest, but you can always try and just hope and I know that my little pony will try his best and he’ll do whatever he can,” Amber said.

“My friends think it’s so cool - I actually did a video about it at school, they thought it was so amazing, just seeing the small ponies and how fun it looks.

“It’s just fun and the feeling of saying I have a pony and I achieved this - it’s just the best feeling and there’s lots of different careers that you can choose.”

“I really do want to get involved with the nutrition side of it, along with riding horses as well because that’s what I really love, but I think it would be good to know nutrition.”

Amber also comes from a solid background in horses, with mustering, campdrafting and pony clubs all in the family.

Based in the small town just outside Toowoomba, racing at Randwick is something they could only dream of until now.

“It’s pretty exciting for everyone, the whole town is behind her, the whole school is behind her, the family’s really excited,” Amber’s mother Lisa said.

“It’s very different to what I was thinking, when we saw it we thought oh this will be a lot of fun but there’s so many other sides of it - they do a lot of veterinary stuff about caring for your pony and keeping them fit and in peak health.

“The whole series is just an amazing initiative because it’s giving kids a chance at something they may not get a chance to do and it’s bringing through that next generation.

“We’re not worried about winning, we’re just going to have a heap of fun and it’s one of those things that we’re always going to remember this and always going to have the photos and videos and memories of it.

“If we do win well that’s a bonus - he’s definitely a fast little pony and he’s really fit.”

Amber will be joined by Blair Burke and Nate Muller representing Queensland in the Small Pony category, while Ayla Griffin, Emilia Savage and Zavanah Cochran will line up in the Large race with Antonia.

TIC Chief Executive Officer Lindy Maurice emphasised the significance of the event, highlighting the support from major names in Australian Racing.

"Qld is the largest state represented in the finals with seven competitors," Lindy said.

"Each pony racer will wear sponsored racing colours and some of the biggest names in Australian Racing have put their support behind the series.

“This series will help create awareness of career opportunities within the thoroughbred industry and help build relationships between the equestrian and thoroughbred communities.

“Many pony racing riders in Europe have had very successful careers in the thoroughbred industry worldwide."

The Small race will be held at 11am, before the running of the Large race at 1pm.