Zoe Johnston, 16, has been named in the first Kiwi team to qualify for the USA National Barrel Horse Association Youth and Teen World Championships, being held in Georgia next month.
Other members of the team are siblings Pyper and Levi Sarginson, of Wānaka, and Sophie, Angus and Clara Smith, all of Tarras.
It’s not the first time Zoe’s represented NZ, though, having been selected for the NZ Rodeo Cowboys Association (NZRCA) Transtasman High School Team last year, when she was in year 11 at Wakatipu High.
Originally a member of the Central Otago Pony Club, Zoe made the switch to rodeo in 2017 after going to a friend’s house where she was introduced to roping.
She’s been competitive for the past three years — last year she was named NZRCA champion and this year she placed second in the Central Barrel Racing Series for roping, while she’s also enjoyed barrel racing success, something she’s hoping to replicate in the US next month.
As to what has her hooked on the sport?
"The people are a huge part of why I love it so much — they are so supportive, it’s a great community."
