The 15 year old competed in events throughout the championships that ran from September 24 to 28 and was named the overall highest points scorer in the youth section as well as winning four titles in his age group.

Kelby had been a part of the event since 2004 and wins in the hunt seat equitation, hunter under saddle, western horsemanship and western pleasure events made this year’s championships one to remember.

As a result of his extensive preparation he was expecting to perform well but did not expect such success.

“I was riding two different horses that were both Winderadeen quarter horses (based at Collector between Goulburn and Canberra) and I spend all my school holidays training there,” he said.

“I knew the horse I was riding for the pleasure class was number one in Australia and the other was also one of the best so I knew I would do well but I wasn’t expecting to do as well as I did.”

Kelby is riding horses every day of the year. The training never stops as he is now preparing for the 2009 show season that will begin in only a few weeks and setting his sights on even bigger things in the future.

“The youth world cup team goes over to Texas in 2010 and the tryouts are mid next year after the nationals; that is what I am aiming for,” he said.