Bliss Vandenberg and Jackie. Image supplied.

Barastoc Junior Squad: Meet Bliss Vandenberg

In August 2016, Barastoc launched the Barastoc Junior Squad program to riding enthusiasts aged 13 – 18 who are passionate about riding.

The Barastoc Junior Squad aims to teach, inspire and guide young equine enthusiasts. The squad program assists young riders in gaining the experience needed to support a commercial sponsorship in adulthood, if it is desired or needed, as well as provide a solid understanding of feeding their horses. Each year Barastoc welcomes 20-30 new young riders to be part of the team.

Here, we catch up with eventer Bliss Vandenberg…

“Hi everyone, my name is Bliss Vandenberg, I’m 14 years old, from Melbourne, Victoria and am super proud to be part of the Barastoc Junior Squad. I have learned so much about my horses’ diets and nutritional needs through the monthly room chats.

“I have two performance horses, and their names are Jackie and Maverick. I’m an eventer but also compete in show jumping and dressage on the side. Jackie is a 15.1 hand nine-year-old chestnut warmblood mare. Maverick is new to my team, and he is a 16.3 have nine-year-old bay off the track Thoroughbred (OTT), I’m still getting the hang of riding a much bigger horse and having to change my riding style to get the best out of each one.

“I am a member of Mentone Pony Club, and through Pony Club Jackie and I represented Victoria for show jumping and won a national championship with my team. I also compete for my school, Caulfield Grammar. In 2022 we competed in the Victorian Equestrian Interschool Team, at the National Championships in Sydney, where we placed fifth in the 95cm Combined Training.

“My goal for the next 12 months is to successfully campaign both horses at 95cm eventing and represent Victoria again.

“My biggest supporters are definitely my mum and dad, as well my grandparents, they are awesome, and my mum spends all of her weekends helping me make sure that the horses and I are ready for any competitions or training that we are doing.

“The advice I would give people is to learn from as many great coaches and riders as possible and take the bits that help you understand what you need to do and use them all to become a better rider.

“Thank you EQ life and Barastoc for teaming up to give us this blog post opportunity!”