RODEO is practically ingrained in the DNA of the Atkins family.
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Vanessa Atkins can't recall a member of the family that didn't grow up in the saddle.
She knows more relatives that have ridden in rodeos than haven't.
Her father, her grandfather, her brother.
It's the same story on her husband Craig's side of the family, each as comfortable aboard a horse as they are on their own two feet.
That's why it makes such sense that Mrs Atkins’ two children, Josie and Colton, have kept up the tradition.
Both have been selected to represent Australia at the Texas Youth Rodeo Finals in Gonzales in June.
“The kids have been riding forever,” she said.
“They've been on a horse since before they could walk, you'd pop them in the saddle with you and do what you had to do.”
Josie Atkins, 14, said she couldn't wait to travel overseas and represent her country in the rodeo.
“It's really exciting,” she said.
“I love that adrenaline rush you get when you're out there, the speed is incredible.
“I wouldn't have it any other way.
“I'm excited but I'm a bit nervous as well, we have to ride horses that we’ve never ridden before.
“We only have a week to get used to them.”
Josie is hoping this won't be her last trip to the United States for rodeo – the teenager is hoping to earn a scholarship at a U.S. college and become a veterinarian.
“I have a lot of friends that have gone over there on a scholarship,” she said.
“They've said it was something really enjoyable.
“Becoming a horse vet is what I really want to do."
Mrs Atkins said both of her children had taken to the saddle like a duck to water – but the trick was to teach them the right way from the very start.
Their family property at Gerogery provided the perfect training ground for the two up-and-comers.
“You don't over mount them, you start off with a pony, something safe, and work your way up from there,” she said.
“Then you can progress as they’re ready, move up to something bigger when they're capable of it.
“As juniors they would have started barrel racing when they were five or six years old.
“I'm so proud of them for making the team, it really doesn't matter what the outcome is.
“Whatever happens, it'll be a once in a lifetime experience.”
Mrs Atkins is running a number of fundraising endeavours, including an online auction and a movie night.
Enquiries can be directed to her on 0488 929 123.
