Taya Hill is very much in her element when on or around horses.
Camera IconTaya Hill is very much in her element when on or around horses. Credit: Supplied/Bruce Hunt

Taya trots into rodeo way of life

Caroline Frank, The AdvocateThe Advocate

The 15-year-old HBF junior sports hero nominee has never broken a bone and describes the rodeo world as a big, happy family.

‘I’ve been on a horse ever since I could walk,’ she said.

‘My earliest memory is my mum used to sit me on the front of the saddle behind the horn while she was warming up for a rodeo.

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‘Mum is my inspiration, she perseveres through everything.’

Since starting rodeo in 2008, Taya has won many titles, including the 2009, 2010 and 2011 All Round Junior Cowgirl, 2010 Junior Breakaway Champion and 2010, 2011 and 2012 under-14 Barrel Race Champion.

In January of this year she contested the Australian Bushman and Campdraft Association national finals in NSW on a borrowed horse.

‘I travelled around on the horse for a month to get used to him,’ she said.

‘In the first event I rode him, he reared up on me but at the national finals he was perfect and I came home the National Finals Champion Barrel Racer in the age 14-18 category.’

Taya said her next goal is high school rodeo finals. If she wins, she could represent Australia in the US.