A NORTH Maclean teenager is one step closer to her dream of becoming rodeo royalty.
Tahliah Pugsley, 16, won three sashes at the recent National Rodeo Association finals.
Tahliah competed over three weekends and was judged on her knowledge, appearance, horsemanship and personality.
She won the Miss Personality sash after impressing the judges in her interview.
"We went into a room with six judges lined up and they asked us a series of questions and judged us on our personality," she said.
Tahliah also raised $585 for the association in just 10 days of fundraising to take home Miss Fundraiser sashes in the princess age group and overall.
Tahliah's mother Katrina said she put in a massive effort to win.
"She was focussed and keen to do the best she could so she just went for it," she said.
Tahliah also rode her seven-year-old Australian stock horse gelding Oscar in the finals, coming first in her age group for barrel racing and third in pole bending.
"The adrenaline is amazing, going in to a barrel as fast as we do, and having your horse just stop and turn, it's not like any other sport," Tahliah said.
Tahliah said she hopes to step her rodeo career up a notch next year, chasing a rookie barrel title and the title of Rodeo Princess.
