I Am Rotorua – Alice Barrow

I Am Rotorua Sport

While the Barrow name in Rotorua is synonymous with aviation, Alice Barrow’s name is also well known in the horse industry having starting riding at a young age.

“I was born here in Rotorua and have lived in Hamurana my whole life. I have core memories of getting out into the bush and onto the farm, running wild. There weren't many rules growing up, you could say, we were out there building huts or running barefoot on the farms and just being kids.

“Horses have been a big part of my life – I started riding when I was 9 and competitively from the age of 13. I have competed at Horse of the Year a few times, which is the biggest show in New Zealand. I did a small stint in Tirau when I was working for Waikato Stud which is a big horse nursery, and I did another small stint in Te Aroha when I was working in a racing nursery.

“Growing up in a well-known aviation family, I always get people popping into work [at Volcanic Air] and asking, “how’s the family” or “you must be so-and-so’s granddaughter" and I think that’s been a cool aspect about the Rotorua community. From the days of marine helicopters right up until today, people have known my family through the generations, and it’s been really cool.

“I love that Rotorua is so accessible to the outdoors and there is so much we can do locally. It is such a neat community for me, and the horse community is quite big as well, which is perfect. I’m the delegate for the Bay of Plenty Show Hunters committee and we run two shows a year which are normally hosted here at the Agrodome which is so accessible to everything that we need and want. The community has contributed a lot to my love for horses and all that I do. The equine industry can be pretty tight and everyone helps everyone. We have a really cool community of locals here that contribute a lot to putting shows on and for me it’s definitely about giving back to the younger riders and those who have helped me at the shows and through my riding career.

“The personal growth has been the most rewarding thing about doing this. I went from someone who didn’t really know how to ride, to successfully competing at national level. The confidence you build being in the horse industry is rewarding as well as there are so many aspects to it like being confident to ask questions and knowing that no question is a dumb question.

“A big part of it for me being on the Bay of Plenty Show Hunters committee and the Rotorua Show Jumpers committee is just being able to give back and be seen as someone who is actively trying to better the sport and help. It is being someone the younger kids can come to and ask questions. I do a bit of coaching here and there for younger riders if they need it.”

~ Alice Barrow, Volcanic Air