April 16, 2018
Goomeri resident Ashley Knight will be flying to the United States on Tuesday (April 17) to fulfil a life-long dream.
Ever since she was seven years old, riding a little grey pony in Goomeri Pony Club events, Ashley’s biggest goal has been to compete at cutting events in the US.
The keen horsewoman attended Goomeri’s P-10 school, graduating in 2015 with the Caltex Best Allrounder Award and the ADF Long Tan Youth Leadership and Teamwork Award.
And last year she completed Year 12 at Murgon State High School, where she won the Citizenship and Rotary Allrounder Awards.
Last November, Ashley was also selected as the Australian Cutting Horse Youth Group’s (ACHYG) Youth Ambassador for 2018.
“Ashley stole the show at her interview – we could not have enlisted a more capable young lady,” an ACHYG spokesperson said.
“Not only does she ride cutting horses, she has a strong sense of community, poise, and a background in public speaking, volunteering and organising.
“The awards she’s already won at the schools she’s attended are a huge accomplishment, and we are exited and honoured to have her as our next Youth Ambassador.”
As part of her role, Ashley will be representing Australia at the American Cutting Horse Association’s American Southwest Texas CHA in the Equestrian Arena of the Bell County Expo Center in Belton, Texas.
To get there, Ashley and her supporters in the ACHYG have been involved in fundraising efforts to pay for the trip.
She has received support from Elders Dorrigo, Dr Show, Doust and Fitzgerald Dorrigo, the Wilmont Pastoral Company, Rural Scene Promotions, the Leovale Cattle Company of Uralla, Don Lofthouse Upholstery, Maddie May Creations, Bang For Your Buck Horsegear, cutting horse competitor Matt Ross (who donated his prize money to help) and Micheal Laffan, who donated a cutting horse table as a major raffle prize.
