AN Ardrossan teen is the first Scottish girl to compete in the National Barrel Horse Association (NBHA)Youth World Championships, despite only taking up the sport less than a year ago.

Erin Gibson started barrow racing just 11 months ago and already the 13-year-old, along with her horse Molly, is a force to watch in the rodeo sport.

The St Matthew’s Academy pupil had been a keen showjumper when her gran Maureen Hazelton spotted an advert for barrel racing and suggested she try it out.

Less than a year on, Erin is set to compete at the NBHA Youth World Championships in Atlanta, Georgia in July – and will be the first rider from Scotland to do so.

Maureen, told the Herald: “I’m a proud grandmother. She’s the first ever Scottish girl to compete in the Youth World Championships.

“I’m excited and really pleased for her.

“We’ve no facilities – no arena – so she can only really practice on the beach or in the field at Montforde farm where Molly is, so to achieve what she has in 11 months is fantastic. We’re very proud of her.

“It’s all come about over a simple thing. She didn’t have anything to do one month and we just saw an advert for barrow racing in Dumfries. We took Erin and Molly she loved it.”

Thought to have originated in Texas, barrel racing is a rodeo event where the horse and rider try to complete a cloverleaf pattern around barrels in the fastest time.

Erin and Molly began racing in the NBHA Scotland League this year and have been training with NBHA director Sami Nash.

The sport has taken Erin and Molly all over the UK for various demonstrations, training and races.

Erin, who is also a member of Ardrossan Sea Cadets, admits that she faces a busy year ahead.

The teen has been sponsored to fly out during the Easter holidays for two weeks’ training with international barrel racing trainer Ron Breier in Atlanta, Georgia.

In July, she is heading back to the US with her family for another week’s training, before taking part in the NBHA Youth World Championships.

Erin said: “ I’m really excited about this, but very nervous as I’ll be the first ever rider to represent Scotland at this event.”