Starring at nationals

The Scone teenager is now able to move up to the three star level and, once he gets a good score, will then be eligible to perform overseas.

He said the achievements were made possible through strong teamwork, with mum Robyn providing a crucial contribution.

As the Scone Equestrian Vaulting Team president, Robyn was able to manage horse Hunterview Sinatra, known locally as Frank, which helped her son compete successfully.

“I’m proud of mum and I for being able to accomplish it; to be able to do this without anything going wrong is very satisfying,” Justin said.

“At the start Frank was a little bit loopy but he formed a really good bond with mum.

“He would do anything for her because he knows that she’s not trying to hurt him.”

Justin said he loved competing in vaulting because of the contrasting range of emotions that it instilled.

“There’s sometimes that real rush with it; you train all that time for just one minute of competition but it’s totally worth it,” he said.

“Being out there with the horse has also taught me to be calm because they can really sense your emotions [and react accordingly].”

In another local feat, Frank, who was bred in Scone by Judy Buckley, took out the Australian national vaulting horse title and best individual horse.

It is the third year in a row that Frank has won both these awards, becoming the first horse to do so in history.

Meanwhile, an equestrian vaulting competition will take place during the horse festival. It will be held on Saturday from 2-5pm and Sunday between 9am-2pm at ‘Dunsinane' on Turanville Road, Scone.

Vaulting is one of the most spectacular of the equestrian sports and can best described as gymnastics and dance on horse back.