A BUDDING STAR
Eliza Johnstone is making a name for herself on the rodeo circuit
cassandra.glover@ruralweekly.com.au
STUDYING to be a make-up artist while simultaneously competing at rodeos, 18-yearold Eliza Johnstone is showing how to successfully pursue divergent interests.
Growing up on a property in Inglewood, Eliza’s talent with horses started at the age of eight when she joined pony club. From there she progressed to competing in campdraft and then rodeo.
“I only started rodeoing recently — in the last three years,” Eliza said.
“I compete in barrel racing and breakaway roping.
“I always loved watching rodeo and the events seemed really exciting to me. I guess eventually I wanted to have a go myself.
“I started barrel racing first and then in September last year I started roping.”
At the Gympie rodeo earlier this year, Eliza won the junior barrel race. She also made the finals for the junior breakaway in the National Rodeo Association competition last year.
Eliza practices barrel racing every day and roping twice a week.
“I’ve just started training my barrel horse how to rope and that’s going really well, so hopefully I’ll be competing on him at the end of this year,” she said.
“It’s an easier option because you're not carting two horses everywhere.
“But I love both of my boys.” Now living on the outskirts of Warwick, Eliza has five horses: her two competition horses, two up-and-coming rodeo horses and a foal. While competing at rodeos and training every day, Eliza also finds time to chase her other passion — make-up and beauty.
“I love to get dressed up, and I’ve always loved make-up. I’m currently studying a makeup course,” she said.
“But I also love to dress comfortably, I don’t always have to be dressed up.
“I’m hoping to be a freelance make-up artist, but I’m still going to find time for my horses and compete in rodeos.”
Eliza believes it’s important for girls to know they don’t have to choose between jeans and dresses, rodeo and makeup, and that it’s OK to embrace both sides of themselves.
“I think it’s something most girls need to know,” she said.
“They should be able to do both and not be pressured by society.”