FOR young barrel racer Skye Singleton, 2018 was her year to shine.
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The then Year 8 Scone Grammar School student finished an excellent season competing at the Australian Barrel Horse Association (ABHA) National Finals, held at the Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre (AELEC) in Tamworth in September.
Fourteen-year-old Skye and her horse Maggie competed against some of the best young barrel racers in the country, and she was crowned Champion 3rd Division Junior Barrel Racer and Runner Up Champion Open 6th Division Barrel Racer.
Skye said it was her third time competing at the finals in Tamworth, but her first time picking up the win.
"It was definitely my biggest accomplishment to date," she said.
Since then she has continued to work on her skills and improve her timing.
For the past few months she has been travelling to Sydney with her family to participate in the Sydney Western Riders Series where she has also been working on her breakaway roping skills, although she says barrel racing is her favourite event to compete in.
"It's fun because it's a timed event that you can do with your friends or your family," she said.
While Skye is still soaking up the success of the 2018 season, the 2019 season is in full swing.
She raced to a personal best at Cloverleaf Cruisers in Murrurundi on the weekend, placing fourth on both days in the 14-18 junior barrels.
"To prepare for an event I do some circle work and bending, to make my horse able to turn easier," Skye told The Advocate.
"I try to keep myself and my horses physically fit."
The hours of training have not come easily for the talented rider, who, along with her twin sister Jessica, lives with the constant battle of Type 1 Diabetes which is managed by insulin pumps and blood glucose level checks.
However the enthusiastic pair have proved to be up to the challenge.
Skye has partnered with her sister Jessica, who is also a passionate barrel racer, to start their own business Crafty Cowgirl Designs.
The girls hand make a variety of cowgirl crafts including tail bags.
The venture is already proving to be a success and combines the two main passions in their lives - their love of craft and love of horses.