Eugowra local Olivia Holland will soon be jetting off to China to take part in a Pony Club experience of a lifetime.
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Olivia will be joining five other riders from around Australia and a Pony Club Australia coach in heading to Nanjing in the Jiangsu province of China on May 23 to June 3.
Olivia said she's going on the trip to represent Pony Club Australia and helping to show some of the skills that they use in Pony Club.
As part of this trip Olivia will participate in riding sessions with locals as well as friendly competition in showjumping and gymkhana.
Olivia's mum, Heidi Holland, said this opportunity is about being an ambassador for Pony Club and showing people in China the positive attributes of Pony Club.
While over there, Olivia will be riding local horses, but she is not too concerned about having to ride an unfamiliar horse.
One of the biggest changes will be in the riding school itself, located on the third storey of a shopping centre.
As well as spending time at the riding schools and involved in Pony Club activities, Olivia will also do some sightseeing and experience Chinese culture.
It's an incredible opportunity, and the young local rider is looking forward to the experience enormously.
An information pack sent to Olivia explains that Pony Club Australia has been working with riding centres in China for three years.
There are now more than 300 accredited coaches working across 30 centres around China. Olivia is part of the fourth group from the Pony Club Australia to head to China this year.
To be selected for the trip, Olivia had to submit an application and detail her experiences riding horses and her involvement in Pony Club.
When she gets back from China, Olivia will be preparing for the general show season.
It's already been a busy year for the 13-year-old: in January Olivia travelled to Murwillumbah for the strongly contested NSW State Showriding and Dressage Championships.
Olivia rides a Thoroughbred cross Quarter horse named Waddy in most of her events, including dressage and show riding events.
For more information on Pony Club Australia, visit their website at www.ponyclubaustralia.com.au