A TEENAGER from County Durham will be one of the first junior competitors to fly the flag for England at an international rodeo contest.

Next month Jessica Darnton, 13, will go head to head with riders from across the globe at the National Barrel Horse Association’s (NBHA) youth world championships in Perry, Georgia, in the USA.

The youngster, from Sedgefield, secured a place in the tournament at the end of last year and has spent the last six months calling on friends and family to help fund her dream of competing overseas.

Since January the family has raised £2,700 to cover the cost of flights, insurance, accommodation, entry fees and training ahead of the contest Jessica’s mother, Mrs Darnton, said: “I can’t believe how generous people have been. She’s just so excited.

“It’s a massive worldwide competition with entries from all over the world.”

Family and friends have contributed towards Jessica’s fund as well as Rippon Farm Services, which donated £150, and the Ellen Timney Foundation, which donated £500 as part of its mission to aid sick and underprivileged children and help youngsters realise their dreams.

The Darnton family also organised tack sales and a barrel racing day to boost funds.

Jessica, who attends Sedgefield Community College, has been horse riding since she has been able to walk but only took up barrel racing two-and-a-half years ago.

Originating in the USA, it is a sport which is primarily for women and tests the rider to complete a cloverleaf pattern around barrels in the fastest time.

She has already been named UK Barrel Horse Association’s junior champion twice running and has collected dozens of medals.

The dedicated youngster has been training regularly since taking up the sport but stepped up her programme after being invited to take part in the championships by representatives of the NBHA - which claims to be the world’s largest barrel racing association with a membership of more than 23,000 worldwide.

In a bid to fight off tough competition in the USA, since March she has trained every night and has dedicated at least five days a week to barrel work.

She has also had to retrain with a Western saddle - the kind used by cowboys.

In July she will complete a week of training at Dei Gratia International Training Center, near Atlanta, Georgia, before battling it out for a title at the competition.

She and another girl from the North-West will be the first to represent England.

Mrs Darnton added: “We have no idea how she will do but Jessica’s outlook is to go there and do her best and whatever she gets it doesn’t matter - it’s the experience of her life.”