2005 School Magazine

Equestrian Sport

Fencing Sport

En garde!

Riding to success

For every year since the inception of the Lorette Wigan Cup, the Grammar team has been successful in achieving this award for the Champion Secondary Equestrian School. This year was no exception. Although the riders faced very tough competition throughout the State Championships, the team won the cup for the seventh successive year. Congratulations must go to the team for their hard work, dedication and enthusiasm throughout the year and to our coaches, Ms Jeffery, Ms Tapsall (1999) and Ms Brett (1999). We hope this level of achievement and sportsmanship continues throughout your remaining seasons. Tess Carroll (12R) & Joanna Roberts (12G) CAPTAINS

The equestrian season began with a Grammar training camp at the picturesque Gold Coast Polo and Country Club. The twenty-four riders who attended were in the disciplines of Showjumping and Dressage. This experience allowed the riders to improve their skills, as well as enabling the team to become a more cohesive group. Interschool equestrian sport continues to expand. Riders have the opportunity to compete at new and challenging venues located throughout south-east Queensland. Although this meant the team having to travel long distances to venues such as Maryborough, Nambour, Kooralbyn and Warwick, the team benefited greatly. These competitions broadened the riders’ experience and added to the team’s cohesion. To help the large number of girls who qualified for the State Championships as well as the other team members to improve their general riding ability, a number of training days were held over the course of the year. In August and during the September holidays the Brisbane Girls Grammar School Equestrian Team performed at the Queensland Interschool Equestrian State Championships, held at both Kooralbyn and

Cowderoy (9E) and Victoria Taylor-Philip (9W) was selected as one of the two Queensland representative teams, and they competed admirably at the National Competition in Sydney, placing fifth. While in Sydney for the Schools Tournament, our fencers also competed in the Under 15s and Under 17s National Championships. The School team was joined by Martha Murray (10G) and Samantha Luck (9W) and they all fenced commendably at this high level competition. Standout results were achieved by Grace Cowderoy who placed ninth in the Under 17 foil and twelfth in the Under 17 epee and Jennifer Colditz who placed twelfth in the Under 15 foil. Samantha, Grace, Jennifer and Jemima represented Queensland in State ‘A’ teams in various weapons. Fencing is a sport that is flexible in its range of team and individual, casual and competitive opportunities. It is a sport that requires not only great fitness, flexibility, strength and co-ordination, but also intelligence and a sharpened ability to think on one’s feet. It is a sport that is exciting, challenging and technologically advanced. But most importantly, it is a sport that is fun. Over my five years at Grammar, fencing and its dedicated community have been an integral part of my life. No other group has better motivated, challenged and supported me as I worked to be my best both on the piste and in my life outside fencing. To all the fencers, and to the Fencing Captain of next year, I offer my best wishes and support. You are the guardians of an amazing sport. Jemima Cowderoy (12E) CAPTAIN

2005 has been another exciting year for the Brisbane Girls Grammar School Fencing Club. Grammar has one of the oldest school fencing clubs in Brisbane, and Grammar girls continue to uphold our shining reputation in the wider fencing community. The year started with a highly encouraging turn up for the first training session: a host of new, enthusiastic Year 8s and more Year 9s than ever before. With an experienced, talented core of Year 10s and 12s, we were ready for our first big competition of the year – the Queensland Schools Teams Championships. Brisbane Girls Grammar School has traditionally dominated this tournament, and our teams were placed highly in all age divisions. As one of only four girls’ teams in the competitions, and the only one with teams in all age groups, Grammar fenced with skill and spirit to beat many boys’ teams and almost all girls’ teams. This tournament culminated in the selection of the Queensland School Team for the National Tournament. The Grammar team of Jemima Cowderoy (12E), Jennifer Colditz (10H), Grace

Warwick. The team placed second at the Kooralbyn Eventing Championship and became the State Champion Show Jumping Team.

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Brisbane Girls Grammar School

School Magazine 2005