Meet Miranda O’Brien. She’s horsey, she loves life on the land, and she’s on her way to creating a career in the equine industry.
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She also has a deep love for Maitland Show which stems from competing there over the years as well as her family’s involvement with the iconic event.
So after being named runner-up in the 2016 Maitland Showgirl and Miss Maitland competition, the 22-year-old Millers Forest woman has entered again.
The personal development opportunities the competition provides, and the chance to be heard, fueled her desire to re-enter.
“I had such a great experience last year, it’s a very valuable experience that teaches you to put yourself out in the community,” she said.
“It’s a chance to step out of my comfort zone - I look back on last year and I’m very proud of myself for giving it a go.”
Ms O’Brien is studying equine studies at Charles Stuart University via distance education and plans to complete courses that will make her a qualified equine chiropractor, massage therapist and acupuncturist.
“I’ve always had a dream of going into the horse industry,” she said.“I’ve done show riding and hacking for years and I’ve competed at Maitland Show most years.
“I’ve won my late great-grandfather Harold Willard’s memorial trophy [at Maitland Show] twice.
Mr Willard was a ringmaster at the show for many years and Ms O’Brien’s grandfather, the late Kevin Lawrence, was on the show committee.
Ms O’Brien said the show was an important event on the city’s calendar and she hoped more young people would become involved in the event. She urged the city’s young women to support the showgirl quest and see it as an opportunity to build confidence and develop networking and public speaking skills.
“I had such a great experience last year, it’s a very valuable experience that teaches you to put yourself out in the community. It’s a chance to step out of my comfort zone - I look back on last year and I’m very proud of myself for giving it a go,"
- 2017 Maitland Showgirl and Miss Maitland entrant Miranda O'Brien