JAMES PATERSON-ROBINSON continues to win!
Australian rider, James Paterson-Robinson, based in Belgium has won the Golden Trophy series and has the fun of driving a new Mini Cooper for 12 months as part of his winner's spoils!
The Grand Prix circuit in Belgium has just finished with James continuing in his winning ways - putting himself and Australia on the map in the International Showjumping arenas of Europe.
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James Paterson-Robinson is a 25 year old from Victoria in Australia who has been riding pretty much since before he could walk - and he has always had that elusive ingredient called "feel".
My first meeting with James, known to his mates as JPR, was
when he was just 12 years old and he turned up at the Pony Club I was District Commissioner for and when all the other 12 year old riders brought their one pony, JPR rocked up with a truckload of fiesty thoroughbreds who looked like they had raced the day before and he rode them all incredibly well, even though his little legs barely came down past his saddle - and at the time there was much discussion amongst the "pony club mums" about how this kid would burn out and quit riding and what a shame it would be!!!!
I don't think "burning out" was ever an option for this young man as his dedication and determination never faultered - he had his eyes set on being "the best in the world" from when he was 12 and he looks set to make that vision come true in the not too distant future!
JPR headed to the Northern Hemisphere a few short years ago and put his name on the map very quickly - and then in 2003 he was the only Australian to qualify an individual spot for Athens Olympics and all the best Australia had to offer were there - now it is a matter of "wait and see" as to whether the Australian selectors see fit to give him the ride in Athens - if a vote was taken amongst the membership of the Equestrian Federation of Australia, I have no doubt it would be a resounding YES and I hope that the Australian Selectors see fit to have James Paterson-Robinson ride into the showjumping arena proudly representing all of the rank and file members!
