A sister act was in the midst of the bucking and bronking at the Millers Flat Rodeo yesterday.
Lawrence twins Lucie and Rubie Cummings and their younger sister Madison all competed in the junior barrel racing and it was a mix of fun, hard work ''and a little bit of competition'', they said.
This is Rubie's second season competing in rodeo and Lucie and Madison's first.
All three acknowledged Rubie was ''the best'' of the group. Last season she finished in the top 10 of the southern summer season for junior barrel racing.
But all three loved the ''enjoyment of the horses'' and the friends they made at rodeo events.
''It's just a great atmosphere,'' Rubie said. ''It's pretty cool.''
Their father, Phil Cummings, said his daughters all had ''a competitive streak'' and worked hard tending to their horses at rodeos and on the family farm, where they have Tuapeka Lodge, a standardbred broodmare stud.
He praised the ''fun'', supportive rodeo community, which provided valuable mentoring for young riders and opportunities for them to train and compete.
''It's good for the girls to be looking after their horses and get out and about and meet new people, and help other people.''
New Zealand Rodeo Cowboys Association president Lyal Cocks, of Wanaka, said a crowd of about 1500 watched the almost 200 competitors at the annual Millers Flat Rodeo, which included barrel racing, team roping ''and the bucking events''.
Competitors came mostly from Otago, Southland and Canterbury but there were also some Australian competitors, as well as some New Zealanders who had competed internationally.
The summer rodeo season continues today with the Maniototo Rodeo at Waipiata.
