Tentpegging family riding high for Australian team

Two talented teens from Logan Reserve have returned home with silver medals after representing Australia in an international tentpegging competition in South Africa.

Samantha Gurney, 18, and her brother Steven, 16, were part of the Under-21 Australian Tentpegging Team that competed in September last year.

Tentpegging, a cavalry sport with ancient roots, involves riders galloping at full speed to strike or pick up small ground targets with a sword or lance.

Samantha, who captained the team, narrowly missed an individual medal in the sword event.

The pair also competed in a provincial event to win silver in the Team of Swords event.

Their father, Brad, who has represented Australia internationally in tentpegging, was team manager.

Mum Catherine says there’s talk of a South African team visiting Australia again.

‘We hosted them about 20 years ago at Logan Village Riding Club,’ she says.

PHOTO: Steven Gurney in South Africa on his horse representing the Australian tentpegging team.

Last year both Samantha and Steven were students at Hills International College, with Catherine saying the school played a key role in assisting with fundraising for the event.

‘Our children have deep roots in the Logan community, having attended Logan Reserve and Jimboomba State Schools, a true reflection that it does take a village,’ she says.

PHOTO AT TOP: Combination image of Samantha and Steven Gurney competing for Australia in South Africa.