Carnarvon's Thomas Vandeleur sets sights on representing Australia
Carnarvon Horse and Pony Club are ecstatic over the success of 14 year old Thomas Vandeleur.
24 August 2009
After a lengthy selection process of nine training sessions and 2 training camps, Mr Vandeleur was selected to represent Western Australia at the national Prince Phillip Mounted Games in Sydney July 12 – 18, 2009.
"I am grateful to have had this opportunity to represent both Carnarvon and Western Australia (at the Prince Phillip Mounted Games)," Mr Vandeleur said.
"I am proud to be able to tell anyone who will listen that I am from Carnarvon and the Carnarvon Horse and Pony Club. It is even better being able to put our club on the map in this our 50th Anniversary year."
Competing on unfamiliar horses, Thomas and his team members achieved great success by coming in third place at the Games.
"The competition was very close with only a few points separating second and third position, I am so proud of the whole team,” mother Mrs Vicky Vandeleur said.
Thomas and two other members of the Western Australian team have been invited to try out for the Australian team to compete in either the United Kingdom or United States in 2010. Thomas will also represent Carnarvon in the Beverly-Carnarvon team at the October State finals, providing an ideal warm up for the Australian team trials.
The Department of Sport and Recreation assisted Mr Vandeleur through Elite Sports Subsidy funding which aims to support gifted athletes in their ambition to reach state and national competition level.
"The encouragement I have received from the Department of Sport and Recreation, my coaches, family and the Exmouth and Carnarvon Horse and Pony Clubs has been amazing and very much appreciated." Mr Vandeleur said.
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