Willow Mason is a 12 year-old rising star in the junior barrel racing world and will compete in a string of local events before heading back to America to represent Australia in barrel racing.
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From the Southern Riverina region, Willow has had an extended relationship with Deniliquin after winning her first ever buckle at a local event.
She has been specifically invited to participate in the Easter Saturday Deniliquin Rodeo this April, riding the arena with the Australian flag while the National Anthem is performed.
Willow saw her first ever barrel race competition at the Finley Rodeo at age five, and told her mother Sam Mason “I am going to do that mum.”
And do that she did.
From that moment on, Willow set herself on a path that has led her to international recognition and a beautiful bond between horse and rider.
Her first interaction with a horse was a Shetland pony called Annie.
It wasn’t long before she outgrew Annie, and along came Coco Pops and then Gee which proved to be a very successful combination.
Willow won her first buckle at the Deni Rodeo in the junior barrel racing with Gee, which holds an extremely special place in her heart.
“Deni feels like home; it’s where it all began to take off winning that buckle,” she said.
“I would like to thank Elise Huddle and Jessica Brazier for bringing barrels to Deni to give girls like me the opportunity to learn such a fantastic sport.”
Willow competed on Gee for several years.
He took her everywhere with dressage, trail rides, to barrel racing and qualifying twice for America.
“I have only just sold Gee to a little girl just starting out,” Willow said.
“I have people I look up to and then I like to pay it forward helping out those just starting out who look up to me.
“I love the feeling of riding; you have to focus on one thing, and then it’s just you and your horse.
“I’m nervous until I enter the arena but once in there the nerves go and I’m one with my horse.”
Perhaps the most touching story between horse and rider comes from Willow’s relationship with new horse Chopper.
Chopper was a rescue horse of sorts, coming to them after having been treated poorly by the previous owners.
It was purchased by the husband of Willow’s coach Tamlin Osborne, who worked with him for two years.
It was only when Willow sat in Chopper’s saddle they saw the spark they were waiting for, and he was eventually sold to the Mason family.
Osborne is the ABHA Australian Champion Barrel Racer at Tamworth and could recognise the great partnership that lay ahead.
“Since I met him we just clicked,” a loving Willow said.
“He and I were just meant to be.”
The pair seem to be a force to be reckoned with, regularly competing on the junior rodeo circuit and most recently winning the junior barrel race at Bundalong Rodeo.
Last year was a successful year for the duo, winning the 1D Buckle in the junior barrels in NBHA Victoria, Division 1 at Merrijig.
Willow also represented Australia at the NBHA Youth World’s in Perry, USA.
Willow, her mother and Osbourne will return to the USA in July to compete at the NBHA Youth and Teen World Championships in Georgia from July 23 to 29.
“I will be over there for about a month,” Willow said.
“We have leased two horses and I will practice and compete in local comps leading up to the big event.
“I’m so proud to represent my country.
“The horses are from Tennessee and we will be based in Nashville and Memphis.”
Willow will also be competing in Deni, Finley and Tamworth at the ABHA Nationals.
“I have been selected to ride with Chopper to carry the Australian flag around the arena at the Deni Rodeo while the National Anthem is being played. I couldn’t be more proud,” Willow said.
“I have had so much support in my journey so far and I don’t come from a horsey family.
“There has always been someone around to offer advice, help change a stirrup or suggest a better way of doing things.
“I love being part of this unique family,.
“I have learnt resilience, patience and how to deal with disappointment. I have also learnt to be humble and how to celebrate the success of my friends.
“I would like to thank Tamlin Osborne, Bundalong Tavern, Dix and Dust, Sam Mason Legal and Goolumbla Station for their continued support.”