Two local rodeo riders have made their mark on this season’s national rodeo circuit, winning national titles and confirming Wanaka Rodeo club as one of the top competitive clubs in the country.

Hāwea farmer and builder Patrick McCarthy won the supreme award of best all-round cowboy at last weekend’s national rodeo finals (April 3-4), after winning the national titles in the rope and tie event and team roping.

It’s the second time he’s achieved the double header and supreme award after winning all three titles in 2019 and this year he was the only rider to win two of the eight national titles after four rounds at the two day national rodeo finals held during Easter in Taupo.

As defending rope and tie champion for the third consecutive year, Patrick had been leading the points all season in rope and tie and looked assured of the title going into the finals.

He didn’t make it easy for himself with only one podium finish out of four rounds, but managed to hold on to his lead to take the title.

Together with his team roping partner Shane Cooper, Patrick also entered the finals leading the standings in the open team roping event and in round one cemented his position with a fast 8.14 seconds winning ride to earn the Team Roping (Header) national title.

Pyper Sarginson on Zsiska rounds a barrel.

National standings are calculated on the basis of the dollars won at individual events held throughout the country during a single season from October to March.

At the other end of the experience ladder, 15-year-old Pyper Sarginson won the Rookie Barrel Race champion title - her first national title. 

Having previously competed at a junior level, the Columba College Year 11 student moved up into second division events and, after multiple podium finishes in second division, earned enough points to break into the Open Barrel Race events by the end of the season.

Pyper, who has been barrel racing since she was 10-years-old, attributes much of her recent success to her horse Zsiska, a nine-9year-old, 165cm (16.1HH) quarterhorse/thoroughbred/Holsteiner cross.

Bigger than most in barrel racing, Zsiska might not be as quick around the barrels as other top horses but makes up for it between the barrels with a longer stride, Pyper said. They’ve only been together for two seasons but she reckons Zsiska “still hasn’t reached top gear yet”.

During rodeo season, Pyper gets most weekends away from boarding school to train and compete and spends all summer on the circuit but at other times she depends on her mum Barbi, who also competes in the Open Barrel Race, to keep her horse fit.

Pyper reckons rodeo is in her blood; she loves being on the circuit, camping out with her horse at events, and the adrenaline rush of racing.

“Riding fast, crossing the finish line and hearing [the commentator say] ‘that’s our new leader’ - that’s my favourite part,” she said.

PHOTOS: Denise Flay