Horse rider Joelene Washington-King is busy training for the Australian Masters Games, which will be held in Canberra in October, reports ELIZABETH KOVACS.

After 17 years out of the saddle, Joelene Washington-King, 45, found herself riding again, all thanks to her young daughter, Charlotte, now 11. 

“Charlotte has been horse mad since the day she was born,” says Joelene. 

“She kept telling me that she wanted to ride, so I ended up booking her a session with Karelia Riding School when she was five.”

After being told that they could do a mother-and-daughter session together, Joelene’s world changed and they now train together at the Lions Youth Haven in Kambah. 

Formally from Queensland, Joelene’s interactions had been limited to the horses her sister took care of until her move to Canberra.

The Masters Games feature more than 40 different types of sports, and Joelene says Charlotte has been training for dressage alongside her in support. 

“When I heard that the Masters Games were [in Canberra], I thought, ‘well, I’ve been practising a lot and putting a lot of work into it, so let’s see how we go,” she says. 

“There are things that parents and kids can do together… and there are ways that you can go out there with your child and not just be the one watching and cheering them on.”

Charlotte’s Joelene’s biggest supporter and inspiration to enter competitions.

“She loves to come and watch her mum compete and likes to tell me what I’m doing right and wrong,” says Joelene. 

“She also tells me how great I have done as well.” 

Both diagnosed with anxiety disorders, Joelene says seeing Charlotte overcome challenges within the sport inspires her to challenge herself.

“And now, if I’m feeling a bit frustrated with how a session’s gone, I think no, if Charlotte can do it, I can do it.”

Claiming to “feed off each other”, Joelene says a little healthy competition between the two of them keeps each other at their top game. 

“[It’s special] because when you think about it, a lot of other sports that kids play, you can’t go out and play,” she says. 

“You can coach a soccer team, but you’re not running out on to the same field as your child and it’s not the same as being in that same competition, where we are competing on the same day.” 

Riding alongside her best friend has given Joelene a level of clarity and confidence that she didn’t have before. 

“Because it was something that we were able to do together and spend a lot of time together, it really kind of just sparked that passion again in me,” Joelene says. 

Outside of the arena, Joelene balances a busy life as a lawyer. 

“There are long days, and you have to forgive yourself when you’re not on top of everything, but I prioritise what brings me joy and being out in nature with Charlotte and the horses is one of the most peaceful, grounding parts of my week, even if we’re just brushing the horses in the rain.” 

Joelene says the horseriding community has become a second family to Charlotte and her.

“It’s great to have a bunch of strong women around her who she can feel confident to go to if I’m not around, or who she can learn different life skills from,” she says. 

“We’re all different and all do things in a different way, and it really exposes her to so many different ways of doing things and dealing with problems, which I think is great.” 

The Masters Games will be a welcomed day off of school for Charlotte to cheer her mum on. 

“I’m excited to prove that mothers can thrive in their chosen sports,” says Joelene.