Barrel racer shoots for rodeo fame

Andrew Korner | 12th September 2009

IT seems little could stand in the way of Shanae Payne's dream of becoming a professional barrel racer.

At just 14, the Rosewood State High School student has already represented her country and travelled to the rodeo-mad United States, where she has also been offered a scholarship.

Helped along, but not pushed, by a more than enthusiastic family, Shanae won “All-round Cowgirl” three years in a row in the US, riding unfamiliar horses in an equally unfamiliar country.

“That was their big national title - pretty much like a world finals for them,” Shanae said.

Ultimately, Shanae said she would like to compete in the professional National Finals Rodeo competition in the US, one of the biggest international competitions in the sport.

In the meantime, Shanae and her family will keep travelling extensively around Queensland and NSW to take part in local competitions.

The talented rider blitzes the team steer-roping events in addition to barrel racing; a sport which involves tearing a quarter horse around three markers at an insanely rapid pace.

The Karrabin-based rider will be part of the Ipswich talent on show at this month's National Rodeo Council of Australia (NRCA) National Rodeo Finals at the Briggs Road Sporting Complex.

She will pair up her new quarter horse mayor “Lucy”, another 14-year-old, for the two-day competition, which will begin at 6pm on September 19.

Shanae has been working hard with Lucy on her home equestrian arena to ensure she's ready for Briggs Road.

Competitors will battle for more than $20,000 in cash and prizes at the National Rodeo Finals, in events including the main bull ride, rope and tie, team roping, steer wrestling, barrel race and breakaway roping.

New additions include the Legends bull ride - featuring some of the great bull riders of old - and local steer ride, in which some of Ipswich's local football talent will have their first try in rodeo ring.

For tickets, phone the National Rodeo Council on 02 6737 3777 or visit www.nationalrodeo

council.com.au.