Beaufort's Hannah Wigg has been named a top 10 finalist for show jumping in Victoria's young rider of the year.
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The Ararat student has had a successful start to the year on the Victorian show jumping scene, progressing to Victorian representative spots in upcoming show jumping events.
Wigg has competed in the Victorian Interschool State Show Championships, claiming the overall champion status after competing at the highest level and jump height in the competition.
"I was shocked when I was told I won the overall champion," she said.
"I competed at interschool competitions since about grade four.
"I remember people doing the 120metre qualifying event thinking there were absolutely amazing.
"To actually get there and achieve it myself was exciting."
Wigg said the competition at the event was fierce.
"Some riders who compete at these events have a lot more access to resources and one person was even riding a world cup horse," she said. "I think what made it even more special was I trained my horse to jump, she was a dressage horse.
"I worked extra hard for us to compete and to come away as the overall champion is really something special.
"Credit has to go to my mum as well, she does a lot for me and helps out with my horse when I'm busy at school and not home."
Wigg balances her riding commitments with her year 12 studies at Marion College.
"I have the responsibility of keeping my horse fit so I try and ride her three times a week," she said.
"It is stressful trying to keep up with school but it's good to have a break and do something which takes my mind off everything."
Wigg said she understood the importance of her last year of school but she thinks, so far, she's found the right balance.
"I don't want to stop doing what I love because of the need to study," she said.
"When we go away, I study in the float - I've been doing that for a long time now and I'm used to it.
Wigg will represent Victoria at the Interschool Show Jumping Championships in Sydney in September.
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