Paris Wilson

PARIS Wilson was born to rodeo.

Born and brought up on an Evans Flat farm just outside Lawrence, the athletic year 13 pupil says she first got on horseback aged 6, and never looked back.

Although none of her immediate family were into rodeo, the encouragement of a family friend led her to have a crack at barrel racing several years back.

Practice and determination paid dividends during the last season to run before Covid19 shut the circuit down this past summer, allowing her to ‘‘break open’’ during her first second division open season.

‘‘Breaking open means you collected more than $3000 prize money on the second division circuit in a single season, which I did, thanks in part to my dad driving me round the North Island all summer.

‘‘That felt good.’’

Paris said there was no feeling like the adrenaline buzz from a good performance in the rodeo ring.

‘‘The quarter horses are quick and agile, but it pays to be slightly mad too,’’ she joked.

No stranger to competitive success, the sporty teen has also been an area schools rep in basketball and netball, where she play centre/winger.

Although a career in rodeo was firmly in her dreams, Paris believed her wideranging interests could take her down any of several paths.

She would take a year out following school to travel, and narrow down her focus.

‘‘I’m going to work next year, maybe travel, do farm work or work with kids. I’ve got family and friends over in England and Wales at the moment, so that would be one place, and maybe the US to try my hand at professional rodeo.’’

Paris said she had enjoyed her school career in Lawrence and was ready for the next step.

‘‘The school’s been great, giving me leadership roles and opening up lots of avenues to explore.

‘‘We’ll see where the next year takes me.’’

Achievements: Rodeo: broke open in first second division open season (2021); 2nd in rookie class (2021); 1st in South Island Champs 1D barrel racing (2021); 1st with Southern team, South Island Jackpot finals (2021). House captain (202122); Southern Area Schools basketball and netball rep (202122); netball rep at Otago and SI Champs (202022); Level 1 merit endorsement; Level 2 with PE and English endorsed; Telford Equine Studies levels 2 and 3; SIT Early Childhood Studies level 3. Role Model: My dad, as he’s been so supportive of me following my rodeo dreams.

Hopes for the future: Travel to US to compete professionally in rodeo and one day work with kids.