Barastoc Junior Squad: Meet Pip Crawford

Pip Crawford has been a member of Cootamundra Pony Club since she was six years old and currently enjoys competing in dressage and jumping with her horses Spyderman SW and Stately Impression...

Adele Severs

Published 26 May 2023

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Pip Crawford. Image: Michell A Smith Photography/Snapshot Australia.

Barastoc Junior Squad: Meet Pip Crawford

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 NSW rider Pip Crawford…

“My name is Pip Crawford and I am from Cootamundra, NSW. These are my two horses, Spyderman SW, known at home as Spy, and Stately Impression, known at home as Mack. Spy is a warmblood x thoroughbred and Mack is a thoroughbred. Both Spy and Mack are currently with me at boarding school at Geelong Grammar.

“Spy loves competing in dressage, and I have enjoyed starting to teach him to jump. Mack also loves the dressage but also enjoys going around some show jumps; he has jumped 1.20m with me at home. A funny thing Spy does is he drags his feed buckets towards him! And Mack he can count… he expects three carrots, and he will keep looking for more if you only give him one or two!

“I have competed in many state and national events for Pony Club. I have been a member of the Cootamundra Pony Club since I was six years old. I have also competed in state and national events for Interschools Victoria.

“I have enjoyed being a part of the Barastoc Junior Squad, I have learnt lots of new things from guest speakers each month from people, from high level equestrian riders to nutritional experts. I have loved meeting new people all over Australia and making new friends. Thank you so much Barastoc Horse and Equestrian Life for all these wonderful opportunities!”