Police have released the name of the young woman who died following a farm vehicle rolling near Waipukurau on Sunday. Photo / Supplied
Police have released the name of the young woman who died following a farm vehicle rolling near Waipukurau on Sunday. Photo / Supplied
Tributes are pouring in from around New Zealand for a young woman and horse enthusiast who died when a farm vehicle rolled near Waipukurau on Saturday.
Twenty-year-old Samara Windle, from the Ruapehu area, was well known throughout the rodeo and equestrian communities.
Windle comes from a rodeo family with herfather the president of the Waimarino Rodeo Club and mother a longstanding member of the New Zealand Rodeo Cowboys Association.
National secretary Diana Bradshaw said she remembered Windle competing as a junior barrel racer from as a young girl.
"She was a sparkly young girl on her little pony."
Windle was meant to be competing at the Mid Northern Rodeo over the weekend but her horse was lame.
She died on Saturday when the 4x4 farm vehicle she was a passenger on rolled at a rural property near Waipukurau.
Emergency services were called at 11.30am and medical assistance was provided but she died at the scene.
Two others on the vehicle also sustained minor injuries.
Her death had left the community reeling with many riders at the Mid Northern Rodeo paying tribute to her during their ride, Bradshaw said
A keen rodeo rider and horse enthusiast, Samara Windle's death had hit the equestrian community hard. Photo / Supplied
"There was such an outpouring of grief [at the Mid Northern Rodeo].
"The community is just devastated."
She said fellow cowboys and rodeo riders from around the country would be travelling down to her funeral at the family farm in Raetihi on Wednesday and would be wearing their hats.
"We have been blessed to be a part of Samara's life.
"From the sparkling junior barrel racer, to a tough rookie and blossoming into the gorgeous, vivacious open barrel racer we all loved."
Rodney Schick, Windsor Park Stud stud master and owner where Windle had worked for about 18 months, said she was a "very hard worker" and "talented horsewoman".
"She was an outstanding young lady.
"She had a lovely personality with a big character."
Samara Windle had been working for Windsor Park Stud for 18 months and owner Rodney Schick said her death had rocked the team. Photo / Supplied
Her first job "away from home", he said he and wife Gina had gotten to know her well during the lockdown period and she was great with their kids.
