FOUR local youngsters were hard at work competing in the Pony Club Australia National Championships recently, collecting blue ribbons in many events.

The tetrathlon consists of disciplines in running, shooting, swimming and show jumping and is a precursor to athletes undertaking the modern pentathlon at Olympic level.

The riding component was held in Bacchus Marsh for the Victorian competitors, before teams flew to Perth to compete in the three remaining disciplines of swimming, running and shooting which took place from October 2-5.

The competition is open to three age groups with sub-juniors (10-12 years), juniors (11-16) and seniors (17-25) all competing.

The Victorian junior male and female teams both claimed national titles, while Zoe Addinsall was the individual champion for junior females.

Addinsall was outstanding in her performances with a second in the high score for swimming and finishing in first place for the high score in the run and the shoot to claim the high score overall.

She was the mainstay of the female junior team but had great support from Matilda Mason, who finished second in the high score for the run and fifth overall.

The junior boys team also took home the national title and locals Finley Hiscock, Charles Hiscock and Oliver Homer were outstanding in their combined performances.

Charles finished third overall in the individual rankings and second in the high score shoot, while Finley was sixth in the individual rankings and Oliver finished seventh in the individual rankings and second in the high score swimming.

To cap off the success of local participants, Gwyneth Homer competed in the sub-junior section of the competition finished second in the high score swim and an third place finish in the overall individual standings.