Above: Molly Mooney and JB Evolution at Willinga Park.

At just 16 years of age, Molly Mooney is a much-loved junior member of the Jumping community who embodies the spirit of dedication and hard work.

Hailing from a passionate horsey family, Molly’s journey began with a less-than-ideal first pony, leading to countless tumbles and lessons learned. “I think my first memories of riding are falling off,” she recalls with a laugh. However, it wasn’t long before her persistence paid off, and she found herself paired with a pony that helped her hone her skills, thanks to the unwavering support of her parents James Mooney and Belinda Torrens.

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Reflecting on her early days, Molly shares, “We were lucky enough to have some wonderful grooms when I was young and they put up with me falling off and helped me learn to ride properly.” Her family’s love for Jumping naturally influenced her path, as she was surrounded by their enthusiasm for the sport. “My parents have only ever jumped, so it made it easier for me to want to pursue that.”

Molly’s competitive spirit truly ignited when she first stepped into the show arena. “I went to Krissy Harris’s show and jumped in the Maiden Tour at 45cm” she reminisces. “I think I won that class, and that was the only thing I ever won, up until recently” she laughs.

Now, as a Junior competitor and recently also stepping up to Young Rider, Molly now juggles multiple horses. “I’ve been taking a few more horses than I ever have to shows”, she says. Her show mornings start at 5:15, where she diligently cares for her horses, mucking out stables , taking them for a walk and ensuring they are well-prepared for the day. “I like to get everything done so that my morning is super relaxed,” she expresses genuinely.

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Molly’s father plays a pivotal role in her training, often walking the course with her and offering invaluable guidance. “When Dad can’t get there, the other girls help me warm up and walk the courses,” she adds. It’s clear that the support system surrounding her is a huge part of her success.

One of the cornerstones of her journey has been her partnership with her dad’s previous World Cup horse JB Evolution (Mr Blue x Family Ties), fondly known to everyone as Blue, a horse that holds a special place in her heart as he has been in the family for so long. Molly remembers when she was about ten, her dad asked her if she would like to sit on Blue in the round-yard and she was “so happy I almost cried”. After competing with James as a stallion, Blue has now settled into life as a gelding and Molly says, “He is such a funny horse and it took a long time for us to get to know each other because he has only ever been ridden by my mum and dad, but he is happy to be a gelding I think, he has so much more freedom when we are out at shows.”

Molly recalls her transition into riding Blue after her dad’s successes was done very slowly and carefully saying, “I was very little compared to him when I first started riding so we started with cross poles, but now we’re now doing Young Riders together which is crazy to think.”

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Molly also recently took over the reins of JB Delightful (JB Evolution x Quidam’s Rubin), her dad’s futurity horse. “It’s been amazing, she’s like Blue multiplied a thousand times over, I absolutely love riding her” she exclaims, so happy that her dad has given her the ride on this mare.  Her team also includes a couple of younger Blue’s offspring, who she describes as “brave and eager to do the right thing, just like their sire”.

Above: Molly Mooney and JB Evolution at Sydney Royal 2024.

Competing at the Junior level has been a transformative experience for Molly. “The first few times, I felt so nervous,” she reflects, especially during her early competitions at State Titles. Her father’s mantra of having fun resonates deeply with her: “He always tells me, ‘You go into the ring to have fun.’” This mindset has allowed her to build confidence while enjoying the process. Molly goes on to say, “although the sport is super tough we do it because we love it and at the end of the day the horses are what matter most.”

Above: A big hug for Blue at Sydney Royal 2024.

When asked about if there are any riders she particularly admires she says there are so many, but one person who stands out to her is Jennifer Wood, Molly saying, “I think she is amazing and I aspire to be as hardworking as she is.”

As she looks toward the future, Molly has ambitious goals. “I would love to go overseas to work for someone, whether it’s grooming or riding,” she shares. “And I dream about competing internationally someday.” Her aspirations are matched by her determination, as she plans to continue competing in the Junior ranks while preparing for more Young Rider competition.

Molly’s journey so far is a testament to the power of hard work, family support, and a passion for the sport. With a bright future ahead and a heart full of dreams, she embodies the essence of what it means to be a young rider in Australia and we are excited to se what the future holds for this lovely young lady.

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