Stories abound of bored youngsters getting into trouble with the law. But this is not one of them. Quite the opposite in fact.
Several years ago Mereana Hudson was skateboarding outside her Wanganui home as a police car went by.
Inside was youth services' Sergeant Craig Yorston, who decided it was time for a chat.
During the course of the next half hour, Yorston asked her about her life, her hopes and dreams.
"I told him I liked animals," recalled Mereana, a 25-year-old mother of 6-year-old Lebron.
That was all Yorston needed to hear. He took her to Training For You and she enrolled in the equine course.
She was no stranger to horseflesh. At 6 she would happily jump on and off any old hack she could find in a paddock. Several years later she would help round up the horses whenever the rodeo came to town.
Her dedication and commitment impressed the team at Training For You from the start.
She "fell off the horses heaps of times", but passed her level one and two courses with ease.
On graduating, she was taken on as an apprentice jockey by local trainer Steve Crutchley and his training partner Nikki Marshall.
"She came up to me one day at the track and offered to help. And she kept coming back after that, so we took her on," said Crutchley.
A lot of hard work lay ahead and it would be two years before she would get her first race ride.
"We made sure we got her going well and held her back until the winter, where her [4kg weight] claim would come in handy," said Crutchley. "She's a good worker and has nice hands."
And that patience and perseverance was rewarded last Sunday when Mereana booted home her first winner, the Crutchley-trained Sherborne, at Hawera. Mereana was stunned by her achievement.
"I couldn't believe it," she said. Nor could the punters: Sherborne paid $30.
Yesterday Yorston got to speak to Mereana again and was thrilled to hear of her success.
"From a police perspective it's always rewarding to see a bright outcome for a young person. We don't always see the successes, so it's good when we do."
For someone who several years ago didn't have a clue what she wanted out of life, Mereana now has eyes for one thing - the winning post.
Backers of Sealign at Trentham tomorrow best take note.
Policeman's advice puts jockey on track
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