Launched in 2016, the Barastoc Junior Squad aims to teach, inspire and guide young equine enthusiasts. The squad program assists young riders in gaining the experience needed to support a commercial sponsorship in adulthood, if it is desired or needed, as well as provide a solid understanding of feeding their horses. Each year Barastoc welcomes 20-30 new young riders to be part of the team.
Here, we catch up with current Barastoc Junior Squad member Darcy Macaulay…
I am 20 years old I have been riding for approximately seven years. I prefer eventing but I do a lot of para dressage as well. We breed Connemaras and Connemara crosses, and I have five main horses:
Parklands Faltango: I have had her for four years she is full warmblood and she is 19 years old now.
Parklands Timetraveller: I’ve had him for six years old and he is a Warmblood x Stock Horse x Thoroughbred and he is 12.
Patangas Hollywood: I have had him for three years; he is full Warmblood, and he is eight years old.
Royal River Chaos: I have had him for one year, and he is a Warmblood x Thoroughbred, and he is seven years old.
Vittorio VDS: I’ve had him for less than one year; he is a full Warmblood, and he is 10 years old.
Big goals
My goals are to one day ride for Australia in the Paralympics, with my main goal being Brisbane in 2032.
I plan to compete at Melbourne International Three-Day Event next year and one day compete at Adelaide Equestrian Festival in the CCI3*-L.
Favourite memories
My favourite memory is with Parklands Timetraveller, where I won the Pony Club Victoria State Championship title in the Grade 1; I was coming last after dressage and had a terrible showjumping round, but I was the only rider to go clear and under the time on cross country, which got me the win.
Special mentors
I look up to my parents, who used to ride and help me a lot coaching me, as well as my main coach Yona Lloyd. I would be very grateful if I was to ever be as good a rider as they are.
The rider I admire the most is Yona Lloyd, listening to his podcast on ‘Between the Flags’ it was evident that he had to work very hard to get to the position he is currently in and yet you would never know that about him. He is such a caring and supportive rider and coach to everyone, whether you are a student of his or not, and that is something that I strive to be as well.
Dream horse
If there is one horse that I could ride, it would be our homebred horse Parklands Oakley, who later was purchased by Tim Boland and was later name changed to Napoleon. At the time I was not really interested in horses, but Oakley won at Melbourne many times and I think it would be incredible to ride one of Mum’s finest bred horses.
Supported by Barastoc
I love the social connections as well as the room chats the most about being part of the Barastoc Junior Squad. They are something that I always get a lot out of and it’s an opportunity that is not always available to everyone, so I am very appreciative for this opportunity.
All our horses love Barastoc Fibre-Beet; it is the real back bone for all our horses’ nutrition needs.
Find out more about the Barastoc Junior Squad; 2026/27 Junior Squad applications are opening soon.
