Brooke Atkinson in action. Photo: Supplied/OC Photography
Fourteen year old Brooke Atkinson is taking the rodeo world by storm, but it's no surprise as the sport is in her blood.
The Taupō teen recently took out the 2025 NZ Rookie Barrel Racing Champion and Rookie All-Around Champion titles.
They are titles her dad won in 2001 and her uncle in 1987. Her mum also competes in the sport.
Atkinson also made history as the youngest rider to qualify for the 2025 NZ National Finals Rodeo.
Photo: Supplied/Stephen Morbray
"It felt pretty cool, I was very proud of myself and my horses," she said.
"I'm the next generation winning it."
Atkinson first started competing in rodeo when she was nine years old.
She's now based her schooling around her training to allow as much time on her horses as possible.
"Well, I'm actually getting homeschooled this term so it will make it a lot easier because it's getting darker, I can ride my horses in the day when it's nice and warm.
"We've got four [horses] and I ride two and I've got a young one coming along to be my next year's breakaway horse. Every day I'm riding them."
In August Atkinson will go over to Australia to compete in the biggest rodeo in the Southern Hemisphere.
She said her next goal was to find a sponsor as the cost of competing here and overseas added up.
