For 16-year-old Benalla Pony Club member Jess Andrews this was a sentence she never thought she’d hear when it came to her barrel racing career.
A horse-lover in every sense of the word, Andrews saw the unique sport an opportunity to continue honing her craft as a rider and build greater relationships with the equine species.
But from the moment she took on her first barrel horse racing event, you could tell Andrews had what it took to take her talents to the national stage.
Barrel racing is a rodeo event in which a horse and rider attempt to run a cloverleaf pattern around preset barrels in the fastest time.
Now, after a string of standout performance, Andrews has booked her spot in the 2023 National Barrel Horse Association world finals, taking place over in the United States town of Perry, Georgia in June.
“I didn’t really think it was true when I first saw it (that she had qualified), almost like this can’t be right,” Andrews said.
“But now that it has sunk in, and know that I am going to worlds, I am nervous but also really excited to give it a go.
“This is something I never expected would happen, and now it’s happened, I’m honestly lost for words.”
When it came to the qualifying process, a meeting in Mansfield last month proved to be Andrews’ golden ticket to the world stage.
Competing in three different events, she managed to place in two of them, before she put in a standout performance in the top-10 shoot-out.
Leaving the Mansfield event with no real expectations in regards to qualification, she explained how she found out she was heading to worlds and the emotions that ensued.
“(Leaving Mansfield) I didn’t really expect anything, but then two or three weeks later I saw the qualifiers and my name was there,” she said.
“I just thought to myself how has this happened, it was so unexpected, it goes on points and the amount I’d gotten over the three rounds I did was lucky enough to get me through.”
While the qualification process was a quick one, her preparation and dedication to her craft is incredibly thorough.
“I am bringing my horse back into work again after a short break, so now I’m trying to get out and train as much as I can around school and work commitments,” Andrews said.
“I really enjoy practising, I am out there probably three or four nights a week, and then all weekend as well.
“It is quite full on, but I really love it.”
The next challenge for Andrews now is to take on the global stage at the NBHA world finals in the US.
She explained how she planned to attack the major step up in competition.
“I am just trying to do things my way, practising as much as I can and improving my riding through a bit of coaching from an Australian champion barrel racer,” she said.
“I’ve firstly got to get over there and get used to a new horse before going into the competition, which will be a little different.
“But I’m just excited to get over there, try my best and see how it goes.”
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