Miss White (24), a teacher at Fenwick Primary School in Oamaru, is in her first season of rodeo competition.
At last year's Omarama rodeo - held as part of the Christmas rodeo circuit - she was a spectator.
Today, she will be competing in the event at Buscot Station.
It was while she was watching the rodeo at Omarama that she decided she really wanted to try barrel racing.
While she had always loved horses, Miss White said she had only ever "hacked around" and barrel racing was a completely new experience.
She had been very grateful for the help and support from Waianakarua rodeo couple Graeme and Henrietta Purvis.
"I went out [to their property] one day and said I was keen. I've been out there just about every day since. They can't get rid of me," she laughed yesterday.
She was also very grateful to Ray Taylor who had kindly lent her Ricky, a former calf-roping horse, to compete.
He was an old hand at rodeos and knew the ropes.
"As soon as I'm on him, I'm not nervous," she said.
The pair's first competitive outings were at Winchester and Methven rodeos in October, where they "did OK", finishing mid-field.
On Boxing Day, they were placed fifth at Millers Flat.
"It is such a lot of fun. There's great people. It's just awesome," Miss White said.
Along with her partner, Craig Robson, who is competing in second division bull ride and bareback events, Miss White is following all the rodeos in the Christmas circuit.
An overcast day did not deter a large crowd attending the rodeo at the Waimate A and P showgrounds.
