Rider grows up in the saddle | Fraser Coast Sport | Local Sports in Fraser Coast

Little Jade-Elle Brown, now 4, has been riding horses since she was a year old.

Fraser Coast Chronicle

JADE-ELLE Brown has been in the saddle since she was a year old - and it shows.

The four-year-old had a terrific start to the year after taking home a fist full of ribbons and a trophy from the annual Tiaro gymkhana at the weekend.

Proud mum Justine couldn't pry the ribbons out of her daughter's hands at the end of the day.

Little Jade-Elle took her prizes to bed and tucked them safely by her side.

“It was so very cute,” Ms Brown said.

“She even took her ribbons and trophy to kindy on Monday for show and tell.”

All four riders in the assisted class went home with a ribbon and trophy. Ms Brown says the ribbons are a great way to encourage young riders without the pressure of competing.

“They are non-competitive and there is no peer pressure to 'go fast'.”

Tiaro Pony Club gymkhana: Six years and under: R. Murray 1, Gabby Opitz 2, Jessie Howell 3, Brooke Russell 4; 8 years and under: Giaan Smedes 1, Spencer Hose 2, Mikaela Opitz 3, Tamika Deller 4; 10 years and under: Paris Auer 1, Ashlee Jackson 2, Emily Hambrecht 3, Truman Winston 4; 12 years and under, Hayley Berg 1, Madison Hose 2, Codie Winston 3, Brandon Burness 4; 14 years and under, Romy Field 1, Jessica Brady 2, Melanie Bennett 3, Joelee Groves 4; 16 years and under, Ebony Stedman 1, Selena Williams 2, Amy Burgess 3, Natalie Morton 4; Associates, Melinda Crosswell 1, Michelle Williams 2, Michelle Treacy 3, Alyssha Morton 4; seniors, Julia Last 1, Michelle Winston 2, Darren Friske 3, Julie Russell 4; assisted, Bailey McAuliffe, Skye Ryan, Jade-Elle Brown, Jessica Robertson; six bar jnr, Madeline Hose, six bar snr, Jade Doyle.