Willow Donohoe turns ex-racehorse behaviour around to claim podium finishes at State Jumping Championships

WA College of Agriculture — Denmark student Willow Donohoe helped turn around the behaviour of ex-racehorse Echo and is now impressing on the showjumping stage.

Echo is an ex-racehorse and joined the Donohoe family with bucking, antisocial and challenging behaviour, but Willow provided the horse with some much-needed attention.

Willow and Echo competed at the WA State Jumping Championships at the State Equestrian Centre in Brigadoon late last month and performed strongly.

The pair took first place in the Jigsaw Pairs 70cm and also finished third in Special Two Phase 80cm.

The two categories were very competitive and the pair did extremely well after only working together for about a year.

Making it all the more impressive is Echo even competing after falling in a float eight months ago, leaving her future in doubt.

Echo attends school with Willow every Tuesday as part of the WA College of Agriculture — Denmark equine program and together they have formed a close working relationship.

Willow is in Year 10 and said it was a great achievement.

“I am very proud of Echo and excited about future competitions and hope to compete at the State eventing championships later this year,” she said.

Two other students from the college also participated in the Championships.

Year 11 student CJ Hill also placed in two showjumping events, and Annika Stone was unable to place but was very happy with her horse’s performance.