Grand National wins first-up for Dardanup rider

South West horse rider Bronte Adams has made a successful debut at the 2018 Grand Nationals winning two categories in her first attempt.

Adams and her horse Tikallara Illusion, affectionately known as Dude, claimed the Grand National Large Galloway and Champion Child’s Galloway at the Sydney awards.

Adams, 20, said she described the event as a beauty pageant for horses.

“You have got to be able to do a set workout where they have to walk, trot, canter and extend their canter,” she said.

“They have to show pace, rhythm, beauty, elegance and all those kinds of aspects to be a quality showhorse.

“Galloway is a height category so it is between 14 and 15 hands.”

Adams said it did not take long to prepare her horse’s appearance prior to a competition.

“My mum is an absolute whiz and she plaits him the night before the contest, she can fully plait him in 20 minutes,” Adams said.

“I usually wash him, rug him and get him into the float for the competition.

“All up it only takes about 30 minutes so it doesn’t take long at all.”

Adams said she would not be able to attend the competition without fundraising.

“I started off by selling chocolates and I also had a fundraising gymkhana at the Dardanup Equestrian Centre in October,” she said.

“I also applied for a Show Horse Council of WA travel grant which they do every year for people going to Grand Nationals.

“I was fortunate enough to win a $1000 grant which was great.

“We also did a quiz night in February and we had so much help from the small businesses in donating prizes.”

Adams said winning a title at her first attempt was surreal.

“I have always dreamt about it but I never thought it would happen,” she said.

“At this sort of level you don’t expect to win one let alone two.”