"I'm used to riding different ponies," said Ella.
While riding in the 11 years and under class in New Zealand, her birthday came before the trip to Sydney so she had to go up a class and compete in the 12 to 15 year olds.
"They are very polished and professional over there," Mother Shannan Rankin said.
"It was a major thing to do and for Ella to come in the top 10, it was not really expected. For her first time competing at the Grand Nationals we didn't really know what to expect."
All the events classes were held indoors in the SIEC Stadium.
The crowd and the atmosphere was something Ella has never experience before. Going to Australia showed what the next level is and an insight into how tough the competition is competing at that level, she said.
All three judges were English, whereas Horse of the Year normally has a mix of Australian, English and New Zealand judges. Ella has two younger sisters who also both ride and qualified for Horse of the Year, and both placed in their classes.
Brooklyn and her pony Lelo (Windsor English'e Kisses) are a new combination, and have built a lot of confidence in their first year together. Haiden is in her second year of Lead Rein and rode Markie to Reserve Pure Bred Welsh Lead Rein Pony of the year, a title he has won three times previously before with Brooklyn.
Shannan rode horses as soon as she could walk and graduated to Pony Club, Eventing and Showing. At 16 she began andcompleted her jockey apprenticeship. She stopped riding before having her daughters, and took the family to a local A&P Show where Ella said "that's what I want to do. I want to ride too".
"It all started and it's our life now, the ponies and the girls. It is a very expensive sport which we fund ourselves and a lot of travel is involved, but the girls love their ponies and the competition," said Shannon.