Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE

Marketing

Silver medal for NCEE student

NCEE student, Brooke Howarth, achieved a silver medal as a member of the Victorian Junior Eventing team at the 2009 National Championships hosted by Pony Club NSW on behalf of Pony Club Australia at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre in July.

Brooke is currently completing the Certificate II in Equine Industry whilst studying at St Margaret's school in Melbourne. Brooke undertakes the course via distance learning using online resources and workbooks with her practical training and assessment taking place locally.

Brooke started learning about horses and caring for them at the age of five, then started riding at six years of age. She is graded Grade 1 eventing and dressage by the Pony Club. Brooke competed at PCAV State Dressage Championships this year in dressage where she placed ninth and is a member of the Victorian Representative squad for eventing. Brooke said "It is my dream is to be the best I can be and I would love to ride one day at the Olympics."

Over 200 talented competitors represented their states in dressage, eventing, showjumping and mounted games with each discipline having two categories - junior event (riders under 17) and associate event (riders 17-25 years old).

Every second year a different state hosts the National Championships which were introduced after 1995 to encourage all Pony Club members to strive for the Olympics. The event is enjoyed by competitors, parents and spectators with a high level of skill demonstrated by the talented riders.

The Certificate II in Equine Industry is a vocational education training program delivered into schools across NSW, VIC and Tasmania by the NCEE to allow students to start building their careers and skills whilst still at school.

The course leads into the Diploma of Equine Stud Management, Diploma of Equine Performance Management, Certificate III in Equine Veterinary Nursing and Certificate III in Racing (Advanced Stablehand or Trackrider).

For more information on Equine courses call 1300 00 NCEE (1300 00 6233).