Dragon Cup 2017! jesse-oldfield-.jpg

The sight of a horse float coming through a School pick up zone at 3:05pm might not be a common scene at most schools, but at Serpentine Jarrahdale Grammar School (SJGS) no one bats an eyelid! Rain, hail or shine, often parents collect their students, with their ponies in toe, and continue on the way to riding lessons or events on the weekend.

The semi-rural location of SJGS allows for a large amount of the students to not only participate in all different areas of the equine sports but also share an immense passion for it. It is because of this great interest that SJGS is fortunate enough be able to hold their very own School Equestrian event the 'Dragon Cup'. What started as a conversation between eager parents and students from SJGS in 2014 about how lovely it would be for the school to hold an equestrian event for its students, is now an event on the School calendar which can not be missed.

After it was decided an Equestrian event would be held, the next task was what it would be called. Following much discussion about what to name the event the conversation moved towards the topic that sometimes training horses can sometimes feel as if you are trying to tame a Dragon. Before anyone knew it, the event seemed to name itself, 'The Dragon Cup'.

This year on Saturday 14 October at Baldivis Horse and Pony Club students from Year 1 to 12 participated in a range of events including showjumping, dressage, showman and team novelties such as the flag and sack race. Students participate in as many events as they wish all to gain valuable faction points for their respective factions; ironically one of the faction symbols is a horse. The atmosphere is unlike that of a pony club rally or competitive state competition, there is a real sense of community combined with fierce faction rivalry and wonderful displays of sportsmanship!

This event also allows kids who just love to ride their ponies go out and participate in a fun day of riding with their school friends! It even allows those who were students to get involved. 2015 SJGS Head Girl Amelia Gal was the judge for the Showman section and said she loved that this is a way she can stay connected to the School and watch an event she assisted in getting off the ground begin to flourish.

"It is important that we recognise where the student's passions lie" said Mr James Bristow, Learning Area Coordinator Physical Education, "The fact we have staff who are just as passionate about horses as the kids allows us to hold this event and celebrate it". Local businesses Saddles Plus and SJ Rural supplies got on board this year and supplied some lovely prizes for the students which is greatly appreciated.

A HUGE thanks goes to Ms Jill Ainslie and Ms Jo King for all of the hard work they put into this years event. If it was not for them the event would not have been such a success!

SJGS hope to field a strong team at the 2018 WA Interschool competition and looks forward to another successful 'Dragon Cup'.

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SCHOOL ADDRESS
Cnr Bishop and Soldiers Roads
Mundijong, Western Australia

POSTAL ADDRESS
Locked Bag 1
Mundijong WA 6123

PHONE (+61 8) 9526 5000
FAX (+61 8) 9525 9130
EMAIL school@cgs.wa.edu.au