Wean resident Jessie Harris has taken giant strides in enduro riding, having achieved runner-up placings at state and national level in the past several weeks.
The year 9 student at Gunnedah High School came second in the junior girls class at the Australian Enduro Championships and the NSW Off Road Championships.
Jessie said she was proud of her achievements, but she also expressed determination to go one better next year.
“Of course first place would be great, but that gives me the drive to work harder next year to try and achieve that,” she said.
Riding a Yamaha WR250 and a Yamaha YZ125, Jessie said highlights this year included travelling all around the country including various parts of NSW, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria.
Jessie also raced at the Penrite Hattah Desert Race in Victoria, and described it as “the most challenging off road race in Australia”.
The Wean resident has also raced at enduro events with Armidale Motorcycle Club, and said she has appreciated the support from the club and her sponsors, especially Finance My Bike.
Jessie said she looked forward to competing in the hard enduro next year.
“That will really challenge me,” she said.
Having started racing motocross at the age of four before taking up enduro riding about three years later, Jessie practises at home a few times each week.
“I love the technical stuff like single trails, hill climbs, obstacles, gullies and water crossings,” she said.
“The harder the better.”
Jessie has also been nominated for Motorcycling NSW Junior Female Enduro rider of the year, with an announcement to be made on Saturday November 15.