National rodeo finals a real family affair

Alyce, Hunter, Clayton and Anthony Perkins enjoy the national rodeo finals in Wanaka at the weekend. Photo / Stephen Jaquiery

It's all about rodeo for the Perkins family from Southland.

At the national rodeo finals in Wanaka at the weekend, Alyce Perkins was competing in the barrel racing final, while her husband Anthony was in the rope and tie, steer wrestling and team roping.

It was a particularly busy operation, given the couple have two horse-mad sons, Clayton (6) and Hunter (3), who clearly relished the rodeo environment.

But it was ''just what we do in summertime'', the very capable Mrs Perkins (40) said, as she explained how they usually packed up three horses and a pony in their mobile home - the horse float - to attend rodeos.

''We have amazing friends and family. That's what it is. That's what rodeo is, an amazing family ... Everyone's looking out for the kids,'' she said.

Clayton had already launched his barrel racing career and was hoping to embark on calf riding soon. His father had promised him he could have a go at the Mataura Rodeo, their local rodeo.

He has a pony called Buddy, while his younger brother admitted his riding, at this stage, tended to be riding back to the horse float.

The couple, who live on a farm near Mataura, were roping together this season and they performed that ''pretty good'', Mrs Perkins said.

She was in the national barrel racing final in 2010 but with a different horse. This time she was ''pretty excited'' about her mount, Roseannabar, a 15-year-old mare who was only in her third season barrel racing.

''She's just starting to get it a little bit more consistent.''

Her goal this year was to make the finals and so she was very happy to have achieved that.

She acknowledged Mr Perkins (34) was ''pretty talented'' and had an amazing mental attitude, which had contributed to his success over the years. He had won six titles and an all-round title.

''We always say 'it's not what we have but what we take out of the float that matters','' she said, referring to their team of horses.

''Our horses are our diamonds.''

And Roseannabar was extremely well looked after, sporting a massage blanket and vibration-therapy boots after completing her run in Wanaka.