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 Olivia North…
I have been riding since I was little, about four or five years of age, and have been around horses my whole life.
Eventing would have to be my favourite discipline, followed closely behind by just straight showjumping.
I’ve had my horse Hustler (Tribunes Hustler) for the last four years. He was originally brought for my Mum to ride, but I ‘stole’ him once I realised he had a knack for jumping! Hustler is a 16-year-old Australian Stockhorse, registered with the Australian Stockhorse Society as a heritage stockhorse (Hogans Tribune/Chan Ways Covergirl).
We recently moved up to 95cm eventing and 1.05m showjumping, which I am super happy with. Realistically, I am happy to stay eventing at this level with him, as I don’t want to push him any further (although I’m sure he’s capable of jumping the height, he isn’t as young as he was, and our dressage isn’t incredible either), and just work on correcting the small things, like getting more control on cross country and some sub-30 dressage scores.
I would also love to be confidently competing 1.10m showjumping. I don’t have many goals for big events, but I would love to qualify and compete at Equestrian In The Park (a Grand Prix style event combining cross country and showjumping, held in the middle of Perth) for 2027. To be able to compete at such a renowned, high-energy event with a big crowd would be super cool!
Favourite memories
Last year, I competed in an event called the Wagin Woolarama Gymkhanarama, an event designed to replicate Equestrian In The Park (mentioned above), with a long course designed as a mix of cross country jumps and showjumps. Hustler and I entered the 95cm Derby, and it was one of our first times moving up to this height, in a fairly big atmosphere. The competition is designed with two initial rounds, giving you two chances to go clear and enter the jump off. I was one of the only combinations to go clear in the first round and opted not to ride the second round and save him for the jump off. I was one of the first combinations to ride the jump off course, and we led the class up until the very last rider, who narrowly beat our time. Although we didn’t win, I was over the moon with second place and Hustler jumped unbelievably, it is one of my favourite memories.
Aspirational riders and dream horses
I think Michelle Payne is an incredible role model and proves that if you put your mind too it, put in the effort and try your very hardest, your goals are achievable no matter how what.
Honestly, when it comes to dream horses I would say a younger version of Hustler. Although he shows no signs of slowing down, his age is in the back of my head each time I ask for a bit more of him, and I don’t want to push him further than he is capable of going. With my current life situation as well (uni and full-time work), continuing riding at the level I am is proving to be tricky and I don’t know if it will be able to continue. If I had Hustler a few years earlier, we would’ve had the chance to get out and compete more and maybe reached a higher level to where we are now. I love him to bits and all though there may be some pretty fantastic horses in the world, I would always choose him as I trust him more than anything and I know he’ll always bring me home safely.
Supported by Barastoc
It’s been such an incredible opportunity to be a part of the squad; we get to access online Zoom calls with industry professionals, information about everything from feeding and nutrition through to competition and recovery. We’ve been given very generous gifts and products, as well as just getting to be a part of an incredible team.
A staple of Hustler’s evening dinners is always Barastoc Speedi-Beet, a low sugar beet pulp which is perfect for bulking up a feed and giving him an extra burst of energy. It’s also perfect as it is extremely versatile and can be fed to all different types of horses; all our horses are on it!
