Young gun steps up among rodeo family
BLAKE Weier was born to be a rodeo star.
The 16 year old has been around horses all his life and first rode into a competition arena when he was five years old.
“(He) started doing a few rodeos at five or six, just barrel racing, and started break-away roping at about eight,” Tania Weier, Blake’s mother, said.
“He rode poddies and steers as well.”
He has been named an APRA Junior “one to watch” after his success in the break-away roping competitions.
Blake will be headed to the Junior National Finals in Emerald on June 29–30.
With his mum and older sister, Bianca Weier, being rodeo champions, Blake isn’t short of role models in the sport.
Ms Weier is a seven-time national barrel racing champion, and now her five-year-old daughter Jayda Chevalley is following in the family footsteps, competing in barrel racing as well.
“I get inspiration from Mum and my sister,” Blake said.
“Mum has helped me out a lot and my sister did for barrel racing.
“I practise a couple of times a week. I normally just practise at home. Mum helps me.”
The Weier family spend their weekends travelling from rodeo to rodeo across the state.
“The travelling is tough but we love it and we do it as a family,” Mrs Weier said.
Blake shared the sentiment with his mother.
Despite just starting full time work as a roofer, he said he doesn’t mind spending his days off roping cattle.
“I love rodeoing. I just love it,” he said
“I just go and have a bit of fun and try my best.”
Blake has had the opportunity to travel overseas to face the competition in America.
“I’ve been over twice so far, one time for the high school finals and one time I just went rodeoing with a friend,” he said.
“Rodeoing is a lot bigger over there.
“There’s a lot more rodeos and stuff.”
Blake said despite the big crowds, he doesn’t really get nervous.