A Dunstan High School (DHS) student has made history as the first New Zealander to compete at the National Barrel Horse Association (NBHA) Youth and Teen World Barrel Racing Championships in the United States (USA).

Alexandra’s Sky Sanders (Ngāi Tahu) won almost $3,000 in prize money riding against 1,299 others in her age group.

Fifteen-year-old Sky said the experience was eye opening and felt unreal, with 2,057 horses on the ground for the seven day event (July 23 -29).

“Being the first New Zealand representative to barrel race at the worlds is something I will always remember, hearing them announce it gave me more motivation. It was super humbling and a real honour [and] my dad had a sneaky tear in his eye.” 

Sky Sanders with hired horse Dally. 

Sky and fellow kiwi barrel racer Paris Wilson (18, Lawrence) and both performed “clean, fast and slick” runs on their hired horses, according to Sky’s mother Shelly. 

The pair got to watch and meet top international cowgirls Martha Josey and Charmaine James which Sky said was “icing on the cake”.

Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic Sky competed against riders from Australia, Canada and USA in front of a large rodeo crowd in Gympie, Australia. Her success across the Tasman enabled her to compete in the NBHA youth and teen event. 

She has won multiple provincial titles and a national title, and has started to train her own horses for the competitive season ahead.

Sky with her silver fern, cowboy hat and New Zealand Rodeo Cowboys Association barrel racing belt buckle. 

Together with her family she thanked sponsors and supporters KepItalia, Aaron Swain McMillan Equine feed, Susan Church A Dog's Life Photography, Fishtail Restaurant Alexandra, Saddle Boutique Limited Central Otago, Skeggs Foundation ,and the DHS sports committee, 

Barrel racing is a rodeo event in which a horse and rider attempt to run a cloverleaf pattern around preset barrels in the fastest time. Success depends on factors such as the horse's physical and mental condition, the rider's horsemanship abilities, and the type of ground or footing (the quality, depth, content, of the sand or dirt in the arena).

Find more information about rodeo here.

PHOTOS: Rodeo Bum USA