Tamworth locals heading to Sydney for state equestrian champs

The duo have overcome mild to moderate intellectual disabilities, with Ms Usher also having a hearing impairment, to reach the state level in their chosen sport.

As members of the Singleton-based Star Club Equestrian Program, the two Tamworth locals participate in weekly horse riding lessons at Kootingal, Singleton or Merriwa, and have had unwavering support via the people involved in the club.

One of those people is Ms Simpson's mother Alison Law.

Ms Law is also the treasurer of Star Club, which her friend Sharon Bassett established a few years ago.

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The club has since opened seven host centres across the state, including in Tamworth, Illawarra, Port Macquarie, Merriwa, Mandalong and Milbrodale.

"Star Club is like riding for the intellectually disabled, people with autism or acquired brain injuries and things like that," Ms Law said.

"We at Star Club never say never to them - if they have a goal, Star Club encourages them to go reach for that goal."

Ms Simpson and Ms Usher are among nine Star Clubbers, including six from the Hunter New England region, heading to Sydney on August 25 for the three-day state championships.

Ms Simpson began riding at the age of eight years old at the Riding for the Disabled centre in Sydney before her family moved to Tamworth about 10 years ago.

"I've wanted a horse ever since I was a little girl," she said.

Ms Simpson will be riding her friend's chestnut and white stockhorse Kokoda Lethal Weapon during the competition.

"He's pretty easy going and calm and he is really well ridden," she said.

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