Zara Wyatt. Image: Oz Shotz .

Barastoc Junior Squad: Meet Zara Wyatt

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 junior eventer Zara Wyatt…

“My name is Zara Wyatt and I’m a 15-year-old junior event rider from SEQ, based at our property in Laradowns, Christmas Creek, Tabooba. I own two lovely horses, Laradowns Larrikin aka Larry, who is a 15.3hh seven-year-old QH gelding who we bought recently in January this year. He isn’t an easy ride, so we’ve taken it steady and put him in some 90cm IQ classes to hopefully qualify him for States.

“My other lovely horse is Lincolnfield Latte aka Jack, a 16hh OTTB nine-year-old gelding who I’ve been lucky enough to own for nearly two years. He has taken me around all of my eventing starts even with his greenness at each level, and we are currently competing EvA95 in the hope of qualifying for the Queensland National Team for Nationals in Victoria later this year.

“Being selected for the Barastoc Junior Squad for 2022-2023 makes me feel really privileged. It’s been such an incredible experience that I’ve learned a tonne about the equestrian business and received a tonne of useful information. My horses are now able to perform at their best thanks to Barastoc’s help, in addition to having the best possible appearance and well-being. As a part of the Junior Squad, we have spoken with a variety of different equestrian experts and athletes through our monthly zoom meetings, and they have all contributed fresh perspectives, knowledge, and practical experience.

“My equestrian idols need no introduction, Laura Collett through her Badminton win last year, which was incredible to watch through the livestream, and of course my incredible coaches Jocelyn Parks, Matthew Lord, David Finch and Matt Ryan, who have definitely brought out the best in all my boys.

“My main goals this year would be to qualify Jack for Nationals in the 95cm team, as well as have a start at Camden, Sydney and Willinga Park Arena Eventing. For Larry, it would be to get him solid at 90cm-1m and hopefully qualify him for Magic Millions Showjumping in the coming years as a long-term goal.

“I owe a huge thanks to Barastoc for their ongoing support, especially Trish, Alex, Lucy and Tracey, as well as Equestrian Life for having me”.