The equine science student, who lives on her family’s farm at Millers Forest, has a long association with the show and is keen for other young people to follow her lead.

“I am entering Maitland Showgirl as I would like to contribute and have an influence on our local agricultural show and community just like passing generations of my family have had,” Ms O’Brien said.

“I want to support the agricultural sector of the show by encouraging the youth of our community to not only get more involved within our local show but also within agriculture and our large surrounding rural community.

“I believe that encouraging the young members of our community to become involved with out local show, by acquiring a greater understanding of agriculture and our surrounding rural community, will help ensure the future of our anticipated Maitland agricultural show and as well as the future of agriculture within our large surrounding rural community.”

Ms O’Brien’s great-grandfather, the late Harold Willard, was ringmaster at the Maitland Show for many years and there is a pavilion named in his honour at the showground. Her grandfather, the late Kevin Lawrence, was also a dedicated show committee member for many years.

As an equine science student with Charles Sturt University, Ms O’Brien hopes to one day run her own business offering osteopathic and chiropractic care for horses.

It is this love of animals that has seen Ms O’Brien compete on her family’s Australian stock horses at the Maitland Show “from a very young age”.

“There is only a handful of times that I have actually missed out on competing there,” Ms O’Brien, who competes mainly in Australian stock horse, hack and show riding competitions at events from local agricultural shows to state, royal and national levels, said.