Livi Arnold loves her horse.
The 10-year-old junior barrel racer got Dodge, a black, 15.2 hands high quarter horse, 18 months ago - and this week she and her horse have been finding success.
Livi finished second at the Omarama Rodeo yesterday, third in the Maniototo Rodeo on Tuesday and second at the Millers Flat Rodeo on Monday.
''He's amazing, kind, fast, and beautiful,'' Livi said.
And riding is in her blood. Her mother, Barbi Sarginson, finished second three times in the National Barrel Racing Tour but ''never won the title'', and she started Livi riding when she was 2 years old.
''We had a little pony, Lily, and I just remember sitting on her and mum leading me around,'' Livi said.
Omarama Rodeo Club president Jamie Brice praised the next generation's involvement at the club yesterday.
In its 30th year, the 24-member club had a youthful look to it these days and the rodeo's crowd, of up to 1500, included many youthful fans.
The club got its beginning after the Fairlie Rodeo Arena was pulled down in 1987 and the rodeo moved to Ben Omar Station, before moving to its current location, Buscot Station, in 2000.
''It is lovely in here,'' Mr Brice said. ''Like the local sponsors, the community is right behind us and so are the landowners. Allowing us to use the land here is a big asset for us.''
Adam Williams, of Rakaia, won yesterday's open bareback. Michael Nicholl, of Lawrence, took first in the steer wrestling. Timothy Evans and Murray Hellewell took the team roping. Wade Marshall, of Invercargill, won the open saddle bronc and Jenny Atkinson, of Middlemarch, won the open barrel race.
The circuit moves to Te Anau on December 30.
