Former Penola woman Caitlin Jones was back in the saddle in Saudi Arabia to compete in the 2023 International Jockeys Challenge.

Jones, who now lives in Adelaide, won the challenge last year and she was invited back to defend her title.

“It is such a good opportunity to ride anywhere overseas, so I was certainly happy to go back for a second time,” Jones said.

“Their horses are lovely to ride over there and the experience itself is great, you get to meet all new people from around the world, where they ride, the whole experience you take something away from.”

Jones placed 7th out of 14 jockeys and she rode four horses in four races, which included two dirt races and two turf races.

Jones was accompanied by her brother, Lachlan, for the experience, which she said he really enjoyed.

“It was great to take him with me, he loves racing,” she said.

“It was not something we have ever got to do together other than young children going away as a family, but to go away with him over there, he loved it.

“I was able to get over there a couple of days earlier which was good and enjoy some of their festivities.

“It is quite a big build up into the whole couple of days and they do a great job, they have the barrier draw and they took us out to the desert, and we rode some camels and motorbikes.

“The way they treat you as far as being their guest is second to none, they take you over there and they put us in a beautiful hotel and the transport was all there for us, it is extremely well done.”

However, it has not all been smooth sailing for Jones, as she suffered a back injury in the months leading up to the challenge.

“Back in September last year I unfortunately succumbed to a back injury again and had to have more MRIs done,” she said.

“The surgeon opted not to do surgery this time which was a relief but I was not sure how I was going to go with it, how it was going to be fixed.”

Luckily, through a friend and fellow rider, Jones was recommended to see Adelaide physiotherapist David Heyneman, who has a special interest in sports and orthopaedic physiotherapy services.

“He probably was my saviour, he had me back riding and ready to go to Saudi in time which I never thought was possible,” she said.

“The invitation was sitting there, and I just had to wait a little bit to accept it because I really was not sure whether I was going to be able to get my fitness up and get back to where I needed to be to get there.

“Fortunately, the timing all ended up working out beautifully and I cannot be more grateful to David for that because he was a big part of my rehabilitation and getting me back to where I needed to be.”

Jones said competing in Saudi Arabia was a great experience and said she would go again if the opportunity arose.

“I was privileged to be a part of it for two years running, so if I ever get an opportunity again, I will certainly take it,” she said.

“Hopefully it leads to other opportunities while I’m going fit and healthy, I will keep trying to do my best here in Adelaide and keep trying to ride plenty of winners.

“Not having placed this year within the top three might make it a little bit harder to receive an invite again, but me going over there from here in Australia, hopefully it opens the door for someone else to be invited from here.

“I think that would be a great thing, a great connection to make and keep Aussie riders going over there for that sort of invitation and representing their state and our country, I think it is a great incentive.

“The opportunities are endless; I think anyone should take the experience if it is offered.”