Jolly-Blacket left home on January 1 and will stay in New Zealand until Easter, riding in horse competitions including the New Zealand Nationals and Horse of the Year (HOTY).

The exciting opportunity came after Jolly-Blacket’s riding ability caught the eye of Joy Ramsay.

In early December she was offered an opportunity to become an international rider and compete until the end of the show season.

But Jolly-Blacket was fortunate to even be able to compete as New Zealand riding requirements almost prevented her from taking up the offer.

As a 16-year-old Jolly-Blacket is allowed to ride in the current show season, though turning 17 in April will make her ineligible under age guidelines.

While in New Zealand she will be riding a South Australian-bred pony named Kolby which has been sent over to New Zealand especially for her.

Already her results with Kolby have been impressive, winning Supreme Pony at her first show, coming runner-up in the National Pony, fourth in her rider age group and fourth in the hunter class.

But it is not all play for the bubbly country girl.

She will be attending Orewa College in New Zealand, while beginning her year 12 studies via correspondence with the Karoonda Area School.

Jolly-Blacket represented South Australia at the Australia Equestrian Show Horse of the Year in December at Werribee.

There she competed on her own horse, Wynara Touch of Bronze, which was bred on her family’s farm at Wynarka.

She also qualified for the Show Horse Council Grand Nationals to be held at Horsley Park, Sydney in March.

If she wins her class at the New Zealand HOTY, she will be able to compete in the Equestrian Australia HOTY trans-Tasman competition held later in the year.