WHEN 10-year-old Sophie Edmonds from Blandford first hit the rodeo circuit two years ago she didn’t think she would hold two Australian titles to her name.
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But, that’s exactly what the Year 5 Scone Public School student came away with after competing at the ABCRA Junior National Finals in Tamworth last week.
Sophie returned to the Upper Hunter as the current Australian Champion Junior Barrel Racer under-11 and Australian Champion Junior All Round Cowgirl.
It’s an achievement the young competitor says she didn’t expect to have under her belt, after only taking up the sport a couple of years ago.
“I was hoping to win the barrel racing,” she said.
“But I wasn’t expecting to pick up the second title.”
Sophie’s mother Bec Edmonds says it’s been one hell of a ride, which has taken the family to North Queensland and as far as Western Australia.
“It’s been a lot of hard work on her part,” Ms Edmonds said.
“But it’s also taken a lot of commitment from us.
“In only her second year rodeoing Sophie attended 60 rodeos and came away with first place in 45.
“So she’s picked it up very quickly.”
The ABCRA National Finals are an annual action packed season finale held at the same time as Tamworth’s famous Country Music Festival which features some of the most elite competitors, offering over $150,000 worth of prize money and championship titles.
In the junior instalment, the All Round Cowgirl title is for competitors under the age of 18, and to be eligible you have to compete in more than one rodeo event.
“Sophie chose the under-11 barrel racing, junior breakaway roping and under-11 steer rides,” Ms Edmonds said.
“She also only picked up roping in the last few months – so it’s a big achievement for her.
“This season she’s already leading the way in the barrel racing standings.”
Sophie says it’s her proudest accomplishment to date.
“I’m hoping I can hold onto the titles and back them up next year,” she admitted.
The talented junior now gears up for an action-packed day at Cassilis Junior Rodeo this Friday where she will be competing in barrel racing and breakaway roping.