Barastoc Junior Squad: Meet Hanna Rush

Hanna Rush. Image: Ev Lagoon.

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 Western Performance ride Hanna Rush…

“Hi, my name is Hanna, I am 17 years old and live in the Yarra Valley, Victoria. I compete all over Australia in Western Performance events and am lucky enough to be a part of the Barastoc Junior Squad team.

“PGS Good N Breezy, or Eric as we call him at home, is a nine-year-old old Quarter Horse gelding who excels in Western Performance events such as showmanship, trail, and hunter classes. Eric can be quirky at times, but we have had amazing results together, winning State titles and National Reserve titles.

“My second horse is Gest A Dynamic, also known as Rocky. He is a super sweet four-year-old old Quarter Horse gelding. Fun fact, we actually bred him, and I have done all his training myself so far. He is only young but is coming along amazingly. In the future I hope to get him reining, ranch riding and doing cow horse events.

“My newest addition to the team is Much Too Stylish, also known as Rosie. She is around eight months old and is the cutest little chestnut mare you could come across. I purchased her in the hopes of competing in the reining futurities once she is older. I can’t wait for the future with her.

“My main goal for the coming year is to continue to develop my two young horses with lots of exposure. Later this year I am also heading to QLD for the Tropicana Classic and QLD State show! This will be Rocky’s first big show and Eric will also be coming. I hope to get some good results but also just enjoy my horses and have lots of fun.

“I am so honoured to be part of the Barastoc Junior Squad. I have met so many amazing new people that have given me knowledge about horse nutrition, training, life experiences, how to make your mark in the equine industry and so much more. Barastoc have given me lifelong friends and knowledge that I am so grateful for!

“All our horses look incredible on their feeds, including Barastoc Low GI, Barastoc Breed N Grow and Barastoc Groom. What they are fed depends on the horse.

“I also have to mention my biggest supporters that have spent many hours driving, helping and supporting me… my family mean the world to me, and I can’t thank them enough for all that they do.

“The biggest advice I could give to young people is to surround yourself with people that build you up and support you. At competitions have a team around you that can have a good laugh and a lot of fun, because at the end of the day we are all there because we love it and we get the best results when we are around people that build us up. I am so lucky to have an amazing show family!”