Twenty five years after taking up tentpegging, the Border competitor was recently rewarded at the Australian Championships at Coonabarabran.

Van Dorssen, 60, took home gold in the individual event on his mount Shammey and the Albury Tentpegging Club member said he was extremely pleased.

“I’ve been riding for about 25 years and even though I’ve represented Australia four times overseas, it was still a big thrill to win,” he said.

“It was really satisfying to win after two long days of riding.

“I actually turned 60 about a week before the championships, so it was a pretty good birthday present.”

Van Dorssen also tasted team success at the titles, with the Albury side, including Neville Rathbone, Chris Swinton, Ray Johnston and Van Dorssen, emerging victorious.

Tentpegging is a sport involving a horseman riding at a gallop and using a sword or a lance to pierce, pick up and carry away a small ground target (a symbolic tent peg) or a series of small ground targets.