Sport
Cobram teenager performs strongly at National Barrel Horse Association Youth World Finals.
A true source of inspiration, 12-year-old Willow Mason has achieved another outstanding result by placing 14th and 29th at the National Barrel Horse Association Youth World Finals.
The year seven Cobram Secondary College student faced off against 184 determined competitors in the 12 and under age category of the event, held in Georgia, United States.
A total of 754 youths competed in this year’s world finals tournament.
It was Mason’s third time competing at the event, a true testament to her skill and talent.
Mason said making it to the finals again was a dream come true.
“I have so many people that have supported me in achieving this goal,” Mason said
“Firstly, my biggest supporter is my mum and then my coach, Tamlin Osborne, who both came to America with me.
“I have some really amazing sponsors; Bundalong Tavern and Dix and Dust as well as Cobram Secondary College, who have also been so supportive about my schoolwork while I was away.”
To avoid the hassle of transporting and quarantining her own horse, Bella, Mason decided to lease two horses named Leo and Royalty while she was in the United States.
After competing with two unfamiliar horses, her performance can only be described as impressive.
“We can’t take our own horses from home, so I was lucky enough to have friends in Nashville that let me ride their horses,” she said.
“It’s tough competing at this level on horses I had only ridden a couple of times, but it was just as much fun as it was challenging.”
Cobram Secondary College principal Kimberley Tempest said the school is elated with Willow’s results.
“It’s just such an achievement,” Tempest said.
“Our school community are all so proud of Willow.”
Mason is now preparing for the Australian Barrel Horse Association national finals, which will take place in Tamworth in mid-September.