Hawke’s Bay Farm Vehicle Fatal Roll: ‘Shedding Grief’ Over Loss of Young Rodeo Talents

Tributes are pouring in from across New Zealand for a young horse enthusiast who died when a farm vehicle rolled near Waipukurau on Saturday.

Samara Windle, 20, from the Ruapehu area, was well known in the rodeo and equestrian communities.

Windle comes from a rodeo family with his father, the president of the Waimarino Rodeo Club, and his mother, a member of the New Zealand Rodeo Cowboys Association.

National Secretary Diana Bradshaw said she remembered Windle competing as a junior barrel racer since she was a child.

“She was a brilliant young lady on her little pony.”

Now on the cusp of adulthood, younger riders considered her a mentor.

“She was a great Amazon, very talented.

“She was just beautiful.

“Everybody loved her.

“Those little kids really looked up to her.”

Windle was supposed to compete in the Mid Northern Rodeo over the weekend, but his horse was lame.

She was killed Saturday when the 4×4 farm vehicle in which she was a passenger rolled onto a rural property near Waipukurau.

Emergency services were called at 11:30 a.m. and given medical assistance, but he died at the scene.

Two others in the vehicle also suffered minor injuries.

His death had left the community reeling with many cyclists at the Mid Northern Rodeo paying tribute to him during his ride, Bradshaw said.

“There was a torrent of pain [at the Mid Northern Rodeo].

“The community is just devastated.”

She said fellow cowboys and rodeo riders from across the country would travel to her funeral at the family farm in Raetihi on Wednesday and wear their hats.

“We have been fortunate to be a part of Samara’s life.

“From the blazing junior barrel racer to the tough and flourishing rookie to the beautiful, vivacious open barrel racer we all love.”

Rodney Schick, owner of Windsor Park Stud and owner where Windle had worked for about 18 months, said she was a “hard worker” and a “talented rider.”

“She was an exceptional young lady.

“He had a charming personality with great character.”

His first job “outside the home” said that he and his wife Gina had gotten to know her well during the lockdown period and that she was great with their children.

He said the team had been shaken by the news of his death.

“She was a big part of the team here.

“It has been quite difficult.”

He said that Windle had dreamed of going to work in the Australian outback.

“He had a lot of life to live.”

Police expressed their condolences to Windle’s family and friends.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing.

Serious Accident Unit and Worksafe NZ have been notified.