Phoebe and her 22-year-old Thoroughbred-gelding Storm bested the course in her age group for Show jumping Championship gold at the sprawling event over June 2-8.

Her success was gilded when she and her three Ascham School teammates, including Warialda’s Annabel Bundock, won the National Australia Bank Team Show jumping award.

Annabel was a second star on the ascent when she and her new horse Ernie captured the age 14 Reserve Champion Show Jumping title.

Ascham School spokeswoman Jackie Dalton said the competition across the sprawling annual event was challenging, making Phoebe’s win even more notable.

Trust, training and timing are all key on the show jumping course, and Phoebe credited Storm with giving her the confidence to attempt more challenging jumps.

“I have such a close relationship with Storm, and he is the one who has encouraged me to jump higher and higher.” Phoebe said.

“It is such a special connection that I have with him.”

Phoebe was encouraged to ride as a youngster by her mother, but the welcoming reception of her new school added depth to her team performance.

“When you are riding for a team, you are no longer riding for yourself any more,” she said.

“You want so much to do well for your team and your school.”

Annabel is another lifetime rider, and said she first sat on a horse at age five when she caught the bug.

She had to change plans for the trip west when her long-time horse Sam was injured and could not make the trip west.

“I have been with my horse, Sam, for a long time and he is the one who really brought up my confidence in jumping, taking me from 70 centimetres to 1.2 metres,” she said.

“However, Sam tore his tendon recently, and so the horse I rode at Coonabarabran was Ernie, who I have only been riding for two months.

“Working with Ernie was fabulous because he has so much energy and always challenges me, and he also makes me laugh a lot.’

Annabel agreed the team experience was positive and supportive.

“Being part of this team was fantastic, because Hannah, Alex and Phoebe were constantly there to support me,” she said.

“Hannah is our team captain and she was so kind.

“She brought us goodie bags before an event and wrote personal notes to each of us.”