Ella-Lin Macmillan’s career jumps to new heights

Although the 14-year-old Woonona Pony Club rider bases herself in the Illawarra, she regularly visits her grandparents, Michael and Linda Riley, at Mollymook – a place she call her ‘second home’.

“I was really excited to win at Milton in front of my family,” Macmillan said.

“I got a clear first round, which sent me into a timed jump off.

“The jump off was a shorter and tighter course than the first round and fastest time won – thankfully the was me.

“It's always satisfying to have another win under my belt and gives me more confidence moving forward.”

As the Illawarra Christian School student alludes too, she has had quite a number of success in the showjumping arena with her horse PJ, despite the fact her event was Woonona Gymkhana in May 2017.

“I started jumping because it is one of the events that makes up gymkhanas that I compete in and the agriculture shoes I also compete in,” she said. 

“I love trying to clear higher and more difficult jumps with each training session, which is the reason I’m addicted to the sport.”

This committed to her sport has seen her achievements numerous success in the past 18 months.

She came second in the 80cm jumping at the Kiama Show and second in the 75cm jumping at the Albion Park show before competing at the Mounted Games – placing third in the NSW state individuals

In April, she competed in her first Sydney Royal Easter Show team sporting event where theu placed fourth in the state.

Later that month, she also competed in the NSW state team penning championships and placed first out of 20 teams, with a time of 76 seconds.

Following this, in July, Macmillan and her riding partner Taleha Urszulak placed second at the NSW state Mounted Games pairs competition – which is a series of races that involves accuracy, speed and vaulting.

The races include balloons, bank and sword games on horse back racing against the clock.  

Most recently, she finished third in the NSW Mounted Games and second in the team’s sporting event.

Macmillan isn’t satisfied with these results though, setting herself numerous goals in the coming months, including being selected in the NSW Mounted Games squad.