Harley McNaughton won the 2024 Australian Children’s Championship Final at Willinga Park with Glenbrooke Archie Bunker. Image by Click Capture.
At just 15 years old, Victorian show jumper Harley McNaughton is already making a name for himself on the international equestrian scene. His journey, which began humbly in local Interschool competitions, has evolved into a full-time pursuit of Olympic dreams — dreams that now take him across continents, working with elite trainers and representing Australia on the world stage.
Harley first got in the saddle at age four and competed in his first jumping event, an Interschool competition, by the time he was five. It didn’t take long for his natural talent and determination to shine through. He quickly moved up the ranks, consistently selected for the Victorian team at the Australian Interschool Championships.
“I love the Interschool events for the friendships most of all,” Harley says. “We get to be fierce competitors on the field, but we all support each other heaps off the field.”
Harley and Glenbrooke Archie Bunker. Image by One Eyed Frog Photography.
SPOT THE INTERSCHOOL STAR
His passion and talent culminated in 2022, when he won the overall Australian Primary School title on a horse named Mobile App — or ‘Spot’ as he’s affectionately known. “That was probably my biggest highlight in Interschools,” Harley recalls. “Spot is a horse that’s probably one of the most successful Interschool horses around, having been to Nationals with three different riders. He’s going again this year with a new rider.”
That early success has served as a springboard into international competition. Last year, Harley was selected to represent Australia at the FEI World Children’s Final in Mexico — a significant milestone and one that opened his eyes to the next level of the sport. Now, his focus is on qualifying for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games, with an ultimate goal of representing Australia at the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.
“I would love to qualify for the Youth Olympics,” Harley says. “I’m doing heaps of training and competing, both nationally and internationally, to increase my knowledge and experience.”
To be held in Africa for the first time, the 2026 Youth Olympic Games will take place in Dakar, Senegal, from 31 October to 13 November.
To qualify, Harley must first achieve his Minimum Eligibility Requirement (MER) — a certificate of capability similar to what is required for senior Olympic competition. “To get the MER, I have to jump a specific class up to 130cm with 8 faults or less. I’ll try to get one in Australia when they announce where it will be possible and another one overseas. After that, I’ll hopefully submit an expression of interest and then it’s up to the national selectors. I’m hopeful.”
Achieving such an ambitious goal takes more than just talent — it requires commitment, flexibility, and sacrifice. Harley is homeschooled through Virtual School Victoria, where he is part of the government’s high-performance athlete program. This arrangement allows him to balance scholastic responsibilities with his demanding training and travel schedule.
“The school is really helpful in supporting the time I need to train and compete,” he says. “I homeschool and work with horses full-time.”
Harley and Bloomfield SSNZ. Image by One Eyed Frog Photography.
INTERSCHOOL STATE TITLES
Harley is currently managing a competitive team of four horses: Glenbrooke Archie Bunker (NZ), Bloomfield SSNZ (NZ), Glenara Harley’s Emerald, and Dilandra. “I also have a couple of young horses I’ve broken in that I’ll start later this year,” he adds. Earlier this season, he competed with two horses in the top class at the Victorian Interschool State Titles, finishing Reserve Champion with Archie Bunker and fifth with Bloomfield SSNZ.
The road to the Youth Olympics is not only demanding — it’s costly. Much of Harley’s training and competition now takes place in Europe, where he works with elite Australian riders Hilary Scott, an Olympian, and Jake Hunter, a former Youth Olympic Games medallist now based in Ireland.
“I’ve been lucky enough to work alongside and train with Jake and Hilary, and I’m heading back there soon to compete and train more,” Harley says. “The biggest thing I’ve learned from both is to focus on the basics. Fine-tune the basics and the rest will come. I’m just trying to be a sponge and take in as much information as possible.”
Despite his young age, Harley often travels internationally solo, while his parents stay home in Australia to support his ambitions financially. It’s a sacrifice the family has chosen to make to ensure Harley has every opportunity to succeed.
“I just want to thank Mum and Dad for allowing this to happen,” Harley says. “They don’t get to travel with me, but they make it all possible by staying home and working to keep giving me this opportunity.”
To help fund his international campaign and Youth Olympic qualification efforts, Harley is running a fundraising campaign through the Australian Sports Foundation. The funds will help cover the cost of flights, competition entries, training fees, and the logistics of maintaining a team of horses in multiple countries. You can support Harley’s Olympic journey here.
Harley, pictured here on the way to winning at the 2024 Australian Jumping Championships with Glenbrooke Archie Bunker, has aspirations of representing Australia. Image by Click Capture.
DREAM BIG
Looking ahead, Harley’s goals are ambitious but grounded in a deep love for the sport and a strong sense of responsibility. “In the more immediate future, I’d love to clinch the [Australian] Junior Title and step into the Young Rider ranks next year,” says the current Australian Children’s Champion. “Then, of course, there’s the Youth Olympics in 2026 — and hopefully the Olympic Games in Brisbane 2032!”
Harley hopes to base himself overseas for a longer stint, gaining further experience before returning home to Australia. “I’d love to bring my knowledge and experience back and offer that here long term,” he says. “I also want to mentor and assist other aspiring riders to get these opportunities, now that I’ve experienced it firsthand.”
From a five-year-old competing in Interschool events to a 15-year-old representing Australia and training with Olympians, Harley McNaughton’s journey is already remarkable — and it’s only just getting started. EQ
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