Christmas Circuit to Gisborne: Grit, Growth & Whānau on the Road

This rodeo season has already delivered miles of travel, long days, big lessons, and even bigger memories for our whānau as we’ve worked our way around the Christmas circuit and into the new year.

Dust, diesel, late nights, early mornings, floats rolling in and out, kids running barefoot between camps, and the sound of the announcer calling riders to the arena — that’s been life for the Standfast crew as we’ve rolled from rodeo to rodeo together.

One of the biggest highlights this season has been watching the kids competing side by side — cousins growing up together in the rodeo world and building memories that will last long after the season ends. More than once I caught myself turning around asking, “Hey, where’s my son?” — something I don’t say often because he’s usually right beside me. Every time the answer came back the same: “He’s with his cousins.”

And the adventures never stopped — finding pigs, rolling down hills, playing in the dark, soldiers and ninjas, riding bulls, running barrels — all the chaos kids on rodeo tour somehow manage to pack into every stop. Those moments remind us why we do this.

Standfast Family Whanau Rodeo — Riding alongside my sister Bry and cousin Destiny has been another highlight. Riders backing each other, celebrating improvements, dusting off tough runs and lining up again — that sisterhood runs deep. Walking back from the arena to proud smiles and hugs reminds us this journey is carried by whānau.
Along the road we’ve also picked up new sisters in Cherie, Dayna and little Rose — friendships built between arenas and long drives that feel like they’ll last well beyond the season.

And through every stop, the horses continue to prove they’re the true athletes of this sport — turning up day after day with heart, grit and honesty.

Growth Across the Season

Haunui Saddle Bronc Rodeo — The season opened with all the usual highs and hard lessons that come with rodeo life — promising runs mixed with knocked barrels, missed patterns, and tough early draws as riders and horses settled into the circuit rhythm.

Haunui vs Bull Rodeo Opotiki — **‘Haunui Coming out Hard and Fast’**

The rough stock action has delivered plenty of edge-of-your-seat moments too, with Haunui competing in both saddle bronc and bull riding across the circuit. His rides have kept fence lines tense — broncs firing high out of the chute and bulls turning back hard, testing every rider’s reactions and grit.

**Opotiki Rodeo** delivered one of those heart-stopping moments when a rank bull chased him down after the dismount, but he was back on his feet and walking it off — part of the reality of riding rough stock. **Rerewhakaitu Rodeo** brought an even heavier hit when he was knocked unconscious and stomped after a ride, a moment that silenced the arena and reminded everyone how unforgiving the sport can be.But grit defines rodeo riders. Haunui made his return at **Gisborne Rodeo**, putting together a solid bull ride that scored 63 points, finishing just outside the money and proving he was ready to keep pushing forward.

‘Kayde Takes on the Steers’

Stepping into that same tough arena environment, Kayde began his steer riding journey this season, climbing on and giving it a go even after watching his dad take some heavy knocks earlier in the circuit. Experience in rough stock comes hard and fast.

At Far North Rodeo, he took a heavy hit when a steer came back over him after the ride. It knocked his confidence, as those moments can, but he still showed courage getting in there and giving it a go. That willingness to step up — even when things get tough — is what builds future riders.

That’s rodeo — hard hits, tough stock, and riders willing to climb back into the chute.

Breakthrough Runs & Rising Confidence

Across the barrel racing crew, improvements kept stacking up as the circuit rolled north.

Aroha and King barrel racing — **‘King and Aroha Making Money Runs’**

**King and I steadily climbed into contention**, moving from mid-field finishes into consistent money placings. The breakthrough came at **Oruru Valley Rodeo**, laying down our fastest run of the season at 17.866 seconds for a 4th placing. That momentum carried through with another 4th placing at **Mid Northern Rodeo**, followed by a strong 3rd place money run at **Gisborne Rodeo**.

Aroha and King coming out a turn in barrel racing in the rodeo — After three years of building trust, putting in the miles and working through setbacks, reaching those runs meant everything. With those goals achieved, King’s season now wraps here so he can rest and recover, because no matter what comes next, his wellbeing and longevity always come first. He is my heart.

Ngapuhi Rodeo — **‘MVP of the season’**

**A special nod goes to Ngāpuhi**, who has quietly been one of the season’s MVPs. Both Ahi and Destiny rode her, and she’s helped build confidence and consistency for two young riders learning the barrel pattern under real competition pressure. A good horse teaches timing, balance and feel — and Ngāpuhi has done exactly that.

Ahikaa and Ngapuhi barrel racing in rodeo

‘Ahi Climbs The Ranks’

Ahi’s improvement through the season has been massive, knocking big chunks off early times and climbing placings as confidence built. His standout run came at Oruru Valley Rodeo, finishing 10th with his fastest time of the season at 22.37 seconds — proof that hard work and experience are paying off.

Acacia barrel racing in the rodeo — **‘Acacia Shows Grit and Determination’**

Several early disqualifications while her pony learned the ropes never stopped her showing up each rodeo. Then at **Oruru Valley Rodeo**, it finally clicked — pattern completed, first official time recorded. She backed that up at **Mid Northern Rodeo** and again at **Gisborne Rodeo**, showing persistence wins in the long run.

Acacia and Mahuika barrel racing in rodeo

Bry barrel racing — **‘Bry Getting it Done’**

**Bry has also shown steady progress across the circuit**, stepping up each weekend and improving her times even while riding different horses at points during the season. Switching mounts in competition isn’t easy, but she’s adapted well, putting together stronger runs as the circuit rolled on.

Bry and King rodeo barrel racing — A real highlight came at **Gisborne Rodeo**, where she climbed aboard King for her final run of the weekend and finished with a placing in the local barrel race — a solid way to cap off her run there. Her confidence and consistency continue to build each rodeo, and watching her settle into her runs and back herself in the arena has been a highlight for all of us riding alongside her.

Destiny and Ngapuhi barrel racing rodeo — **‘Destiny Found Her Seat’**

And cousin **Destiny Stehlin**, entering barrel racing for the very first time this season, improved every rodeo she entered. One unforgettable moment came at **Far North Rodeo**, holding on through every turn only to lose both boots charging home — pure determination. By **Gisborne Rodeo**, she was sitting deep into turns and handling the pattern smoothly, putting together her best run yet and showing she’s truly finding her groove.

Destiny taking the turns in barrel racing in the rodeo

More Than Just Results

Through every rodeo stop — wins, losses, clean runs and hard knocks — one thing stays the same: this journey is never done alone.

A massive mihi goes to everyone supporting from the fence line, from home, or helping keep fuel in the trucks and horses on the road. Rodeo takes a village, and we feel that support every mile.

And the season isn’t done yet.

Next stop: Waikato Rodeo and Kakahi Rodeo, February 21–22, with several more rodeos still ahead before the season wraps.

More miles. More dust. More lessons still to come.

And honestly?

We wouldn’t have it any other way.

Standfast.

Photo Credit: OC Photography