If these boots were made for walking, then Emily Daly’s cowboy boots are headed in the right direction.
I was dead set on interviewing Emily after admiring her positive, fun-loving attitude, and ability to create her dream life here in New Zealand – one where she looks out the window of her home and sees her horses. Originally from Boston, USA, this barrel racing cowgirl now calls NZ home, and she reckons she’s never leaving.
Emily was just 17 when she followed her older sister to NZ, planning to visit for a month. Her sister convinced her to cancel her flights home, ditch university in the States and study here at Otago University instead. Somehow, she never left.
With a diverse background, including time as a vet nurse, managing a PGG Wrightson branch, and now working as a Territory Manager for an animal health company, Emily is also queen of the side hustle – she has so many things on the go it makes my head spin, including starting her own horse feed company with a friend, Hekeao Feed Co., where she does the marketing and social media, and a small equine business, ECD Equine.
Emily started out on the hunter jumping circuit in the States and has competed in a number of disciplines. She was introduced to rodeo through mutual friends more recently, and quickly fell in love with barrel racing. “It seemed crazy to me at first – what’s so exciting about running around three drums? But I’m eating my words – it’s the most addictive thing I’ve ever done in my life. We’re like one big, travelling family. Rodeo is the only equestrian sport I’ve experienced where your competition are cheering you on.”
Describe yourself in 3 words: Outgoing, positive, determined.
What is it about horses for you? They’re a place I’ve always felt free. If I’m having a bad day, getting on a horse or even just being with them, will fix that. It’s easy to get caught up in the stress of daily life and yes, horses cost money and need work, but they bring a lot of peace and freedom. I find horses really fulfilling and they’re very powerful animals, they’re healing in a lot of ways – animals in general are, right? And horses are fun to collect.
What’s your must-have tack room item? I definitely need my boots, cowboy boots. I have a home pair, rodeo pair, going out pair…And my barrel saddle, if I didn’t have that I couldn’t do what I love.
Best advice you’ve ever received? One thing that has resonated with me is – life’s too short to waste time doing things that don’t bring you joy. The older I get the more I think I’ll look back and think life went so fast, so I try to live in the moment. And also, why worry about other people’s opinions? They’re none of your business. That’s something I’ve told myself, and that has helped me grow. Worrying about other people’s opinions is just hindering you, not them.
Best way to spend a day? Loading the horses on the float, driving to a rodeo and then packing up and driving to the next one. During rodeo season, waking up in the float and hearing the music playing in the arena, in the middle of summer. That’s the best feeling ever.
What are you listening to? An audio book called ‘You Are a Badass’ by Jen Sincero, it’s about not holding yourself back from going for what you want in life, and being the best version of yourself.
What inspires you? The dream I have, of the life that I want. To be fair, I feel like I’m pretty happy with where I’m at. In terms of people who inspire me, top barrel racers, or anyone who does well in something they’re passionate about. But I think when I really want something, and have a dream, that in itself inspires me to work towards it.
One thing you’d love everyone to know about rodeo? Everything! There are so many amazing aspects of the sport of rodeo, but if I need to narrow it down, I suppose (as an animal lover) the most important thing to me is that the animal welfare and practices in rodeo are of a much higher standard than some media like to let on. I’d love to take anyone along with me to a rodeo and show them behind the scenes – there’s nothing to hide! NZ Rodeo has the highest level of animal welfare protocols and auditing of anywhere in the world – we lead in this area and continue to constantly improve.
American or Kiwi? I prefer living in NZ, the people are nicer, the weather is better and I like the attitude towards life in general. NZ is definitely home now. I don’t know if I could call myself a Kiwi, but if someone else does, I’ll agree! I do have permanent residency.
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