She may have only just started kindergarten this year but young rider Lali Alt is already achieving more in the show ring than competitors twice her age.
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The six-year-old attended the Northern NSW hack championships in Lismore last weekend and competed in a massive seven events to finish towards the top of each class.
The competition saw some of the top studs and riders from around the state turn out to earn points to qualify for the number one show horse event in the country, Grand Nationals.
Three of her events were open age against adults and Lali managed a second, a third and another top five finish in them.
She was a top five qualifier in the junior rider six and under nine years and also won Smartest on Parade.
Lali’s mother Jane said the youngster already has her sights set on riding at the highest level.
“The next one she is preparing for is the Country Hack Championships in Tamworth in November.
“All she wants to do is ride the Grand Nationals.
“She loves getting dressed up pretty and making Fabian, that’s her pony, look beautiful.”
Lali’s commitment to the sport was on display at the event in Lismore.
“We were getting so much positive feedback because she is just so tiny compared to everyone else,” Jane said.
“To be able to ride her horse and tuck its head under and do all those things you have to do, at such a high level, was just amazing.
“She was a top 10 qualifier so that is pretty big out of really high quality horses trained by professional trainers and professional stables and ridden by kids that are trained in Sydney
“She attends Glen Innes Pony Club and she also gets coached by Jacqui Kiehne, a local lady.”
For Lali, it is not just the results and ribbons which are her favourite part.
With competitors coming from all over the state, she has the chance to meet like minded kids.
“I asked her 'what was the best thing about the show?' and she said she made two new friends,” Jane said.
“It is not just the competition, they get off their ponies and play games, it is really social as well.
“She really likes to please so she loves showing how neat she can do it and the beauty of it in the presentation, the whole preparation too.”
The effort the future star puts into her sport would envy even professional athletes.
“I think it is really good for them too because they learn if they don't practice, if they don't feed and rug their pony, it's really good morals instilled into them at a young age too,” Jane said.
“She cleans her horse's stable every morning before school. She rides most afternoons, it has been hard for us preparing for that show here because it has been so cold.”