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“The Northern Run of rodeos is the highlight of the year but my stallion will not be ready this year, I am aiming to compete in the Warwick Rodeo at the end of October,” she said.

“It is good to take the kids on the Northern Run where they can hang out with friends they normally don’t see, the boys can take their bikes to the skate park at Cloncurry.”

Last year, she competed on Rocket on the Northern Run and recorded a second and third in the rounds and third in the aggregate at Mt Isa after winning the week before at Cloncurry.

Barrel racing is her only event to date but she is starting to train for breakaway roping. Husband Lee Hanrahan is teaching her the skill of team roping.

“I will team rope on Lee’s horse Chook,” she said.

She and husband Lee, a team roper, live on the family property on the Fitzroy River at Gogango, 70km from Rockhampton.

He rode bulls in America where PJ recalls doing a couple of jackpot barrel races in between his bull riding commitments.

Even when she adds roping to her program, barrel racing will be the main event for PJ who looks up to two Australian cowgirls, Wendy Caban and Leslie Moore, for inspiration.

“I also like the way Lisa Lockhard competes in North America,” PJ said.

“Long term, my goal is to win an APRA national title.”

Originally from Dysart, PJ rates rodeo as a great family sport.

Their sons, Kardah, 7, Garrett, 5, and Wyatt, 3, are often on the road with them to rodeos.

PJ might be missing the Northern Run but already has some points in her quest to finish in the top 15 and make the Nationals Finals Rodeo in the middle of next year for a third successive time.

She has a third at Bundaberg and fifth at Nebo this season in barrel racing.

Rodeo Program: July 19 Taroom; July 26 Richmond; August 1-2 Cloncurry; August 8-10 Mt Isa; August 16 Katherine (NT); August 23 Darwin (NT). August 30 Mataranka (NT).

More information from APRA on 07 4661 8183

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