The Horse Riding Clubs Association of Victoria (HRCAV) staged its annual awards on 15 November in Melbourne, celebrating standout achievements from the 2024–25 competition season.

Among the evening’s major honours was the Level 2 Overall Champion Rider award, claimed by Narrandera Adult Riding president and founding member, NSW competitor Erin Anderson and her horse “Adventures of Grand Rock”.

Anderson’s season included consistent wins and placings across multiple disciplines, allowing her to steadily accrue points and finish as overall champion, despite having fewer competition opportunities than riders based in central and southern Victoria.

“I was very surprised to finish on top of the leaderboard and take out this award,” Anderson said, noting that riders in her region often travel longer distances and attend fewer sanctioned events.

She credited the dedication of clubs and their volunteers for making the competition season possible. “Most have small but mighty committees, and it takes a lot of work to run an official competition,” she said. “It’s really appreciated.”

Reflecting on her involvement in the sport, Anderson said she never anticipated the community she would find when she founded the Narrandera club 11 years ago.

“I had no idea the people I would be blessed to meet and the friendships I would form, not only locally but through NSW and Victoria,” she said.