Sport
15 February, 2023
Neurum rider awaits greatest horsewoman challenge
Neurum-based horse rider Naomi Lee is gearing up to compete in Australia’s Greatest Horsewoman Competition, held in the Victorian town of Tatura from March 29 to April 1.
Naomi will take part in the Rein in Pink and Australia’s Greatest Horsewoman categories, while other categories include the Horsewoman’s Touch Colt Start, and Cowgirl Up Challenge.
Riders are expected to travel from various parts of Australia for the event which is in its second year, with Naomi saying it was “a bit daunting but also very exciting” while she didn’t really know what to expect.
With Naomi’s day job involving working with horses, she said she usually trained six days each week and often began her day at 4am.
According to Naomi, riders needed to be “ambitious and driven” to take part in events such as Australia’s Greatest Horsewoman.
“I’d definitely like to make it into the finals,” she said.
“There’s three qualifying events, and the top 10 make it into the final.”
The Greatest Horsewoman Challenge involves the Cowboy Up Challenge, reining and cutting, while Rein in Pink is a straight reining event.
“I really enjoy the reined cow horse which is an exciting, high energy event,” Naomi said.
“It’s becoming more popular in Australia.
“It’s very much an American event.”
Naomi said it was hard to choose which stallion to ride at Tatura, as she was weighing up two options and would probably decide at the last minute after numerous weeks training them both.
“Flash and Red are both exceptional at what they do and have got so many qualities,” she said.
“Flash is more athletic but not as strong mentally, while Red is more reliable and dependable but not as athletic,” she said.
The Neurum-based rider said the three-day drive to Victoria was also a challenge as it involved a lot of planning, and going to places that accommodated horses.
Having taken part in the Tropicana Classic Western Spectacular Show in Caboolture in recent years, Naomi has also competed interstate and overseas with some impressive results.
She won the Cowboy Challenge in the 2016 Equitana Melbourne competition, and went on to compete in the United States (US) in the next couple of years.
Naomi competed in various US locations including Tennessee, Alabama, Texas and Missouri, and was once named reserve champion in the southern division in a Texas event.
“The people are so welcoming and friendly, and go out of their way to help you,” she said.
