FROM the home of the Golden Guitar to the largest rodeo competition on the planet, these Tamworth teens are about to have the ride of their lives.
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Bradie Gray, Taylor McAlister, Bianca Canham, and Kobe Miller, will fly out to the US this month to compete in the World High School Rodeo Championships.
They will form part of the 20-strong Aussie contingent raring to take on the Yanks on their own turf in what is the biggest rodeo competition by competitor numbers in the world.
Bradie, a six-time Australian steer riding champ, will headline the local team.
After competing in the senior competition in Iowa, he will take up a two-year scholarship in Odessa, Texas.
“I’m hoping this will be a path to a career in rodeo,” Bradie said.
“Over there it’s a huge sport ... the winner of the world championships gets a million dollars.”
For emerging barrel racing star Taylor McAlister, the trip will be the culmination of a dream.
“I’ve only been rodeoing for 12 months. It’s been a big achievement just to get over there and I’m scared and excited at the same time,” she said.
Bianca Canham will compete in barrel racing, pole bending and breaking, while the baby of the group, Kobe Miller, will tackle the chute dogging and roping events.