FOR 17-year-old Miah Bryant perfecting tricks on her horse Nitro is not just a hobby, it’s a passion.
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The Gunnedah teenager has been perfecting the art of trick riding with local trick riding team High Velocity since she was 11-years-old.
Tonight the St Mary’s College student will take to the Tamworth harness racing track with her team to showcase her talents in front of a live crowd and a television crowd with the meeting being broadcast on Sky Racing.
The spotlight does not faze the young adrenaline junkie one bit.
“It is the first time that I’ll be performing on television, but myself and the team have often performed in front of a crowd” Ms Bryant said.
“We have all worked really hard and hopefully it will be a lot of fun and a memorable experience.”
Miah said she has now taken on a mentoring role with High Velocity.
“I have learnt from some of the best teachers around,” she said.
“When I started I was the young girl that everyone looked after and helped and now I get the opportunity to pass on everything I have been taught to our younger members.
“I seriously can’t thank everyone from High Velocity enough for the help and support they’ve given me.”
Watching the death-defying tricks from the sidelines is something Miah’s mother Cheryl has come to terms with over the last six years.
“There are some tricks she does that I just can’t quite bear to watch,” Mrs Bryant said.
“But I know how much she enjoys it and she is such a natural athlete that I have full confidence in her every time she performs.”
Miah’s passion for trick riding has taken her to the United States (U.S) where she has learnt from some of the best riders in the world, an opportunity that Cheryl is very thankful for.
“For me it’s so great to see your child really go after something they love,” she said.
“The opportunity to travel and see the world is great as I know it will help Miah mature and learn.”
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Miah said she was “excited” to return to the U.S.
“I can wait,” she said.
“Obviously I will be focusing on finishing high school this year and my up-coming performances like the Gunnedah show and stuff like that, but then I am keen to hopefully live over there for a while.”
The 17-year-old said she wouldn’t be able to pursue her passion without the help of St Mary’s College.
“They have been so supportive of me,” she said.
“I have missed quite a lot of school through trick jumping and show jumping and they have always been really good to me and I can’t thank them enough.”
Miah and High Velocity will perform between races at tonight’s Tamworth harness meeting at 6:37pm and 8:03pm.