Sport
3 April, 2025
Ellie’s important Olympic role
When Clifton State High School Year 11 student Ellie Stenzel stepped up to the microphone to make the opening address to the Equestrian Australia Board and the Olympic Committee in support of Toowoomba’s bid to stage the Equestrian events she may not have realised the full importance of her speech to the future of equestrian events on the Downs.
The decision to send out a young high school student to “open the batting” was indeed a bold move.
The committee could have perhaps asked Toowoomba Region Mayor Geoff McDonald or a local state MP to make the opening pitch for the Olympic bid but its decision in selecting Ellie Stenzel proved to be a master stroke.
Ellie has been riding in equestrian events from a very young age and is passionate about the sport.
In her speech she successfully managed to convey her passion to the audience of dignitaries before her.
Ellie pleaded how the decision to hold the events in Toowoomba would mean everything to young Downs equestrian riders like herself.
Last Tuesday, the dream became a reality when Premier David Crisafulli announced that the Toowoomba Showgrounds will host Equestrian events at the 2032 Olympics and be upgraded to an Equestrian Centre of Excellence.
The Equestrian Centre of Excellence could include additional arenas, stables and warm-up facilities and new amenities, as well as an upgraded and lengthened cross country course.
The Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland and partners have been working for around four years on the notion and plan to upgrade facilities at the Toowoomba Showgrounds to provide world-class horse sports facilities.
Naturally Ellie is over the moon that the decision has finally been made, as is the whole Downs equestrian community.
Ellie will continue in her role as Ambassador for the Toowoomba Olympics and the role is in safe hands with this confident, competent and passionate young lady.
Ellie will now focus on her own dream and that is to compete in the Olympics and what a wonderful reward that would be after the role she has played in securing the events for Toowoomba.
Ellie currently rides her horse, Costalota Tiggy Winkle, a horse she has owned since a foal and the bond between horse and rider is obvious.
Just the mention of her horse puts a twinkle in Ellie’s eye and her pride in what the two have achieved is well deserved.
They competed in the ANWE (Australian National Working Equitation) Nationals in Tamworth in November 2024.
Ellie and Tiggy showed their ability by winning two of the three phases and placing second in the third phase.
“That was my proudest moment with Twiggy,” she said.
Ellie has had the Olympic dream and competing for Australia in Dressage since age six.
“There are so many exciting paths to take,” she said.
The popularity of equestrian events has reached an all time high on the Darling Downs and securing the 1932 Olympic will only enthuse more riders to compete in Pony Club events.
It would be well deserved if Ellie’s name is called out to represent Australia at the 2032 Olympics.
Whatever happens in this regard Ellie can be proud of the role she has played in securing the Games for Toowoomba and the whole Darling Downs Community is eternally thankful and wishes her well.
