Top young ACT rider to represent Australia at senior World Championships

Talea Hasko-Stewart from the ACT is one of Australia's leading youth endurance riders. In 2009 she was ranked 3rd in both points and distance nationally and in July 2010 had the honour of representing Australia at the South African Endurance Championships in Fauresmith.

Now, after performing outstandingly in qualifying events, Talea and her favourite horse Blake's Heaven Bombora have been chosen to represent Australia at the highest level – the Longines FEI World Endurance Championships for Seniors, to be held in the UK in August this year.

Return airfares for Bombora are $35,000, and estimated total costs for the trip are around $50,000.

Endurance is a very popular sport around the world but is not yet an Olympic discipline and so does not attract the same government funding as some other equestrian fields. The Australian Endurance Riders Association is also unable to subsidise overseas competition. So Talea is looking for sponsorship for the trip and any contributions are welcome.

How you can help

You can make a donation by EFT or direct deposit to the account of Talea's mother:

• Account name: Fia Cumming
• BSB: 062 902
• Account number: 00600928
• Bank: Commonwealth

Include the words 'Talea-UK' with your deposit so Fia and Talea can identify it as a donation. Add your last name as well, if you like.

OR you can make an online donation on the Pozible website www.pozible.com/talea

The World Championships will be hosted by Euston Park Endurance. See their website <www.eustonparkendurance.co.uk> for more information.