Taylor Des Barres-Williams

My name is Taylor, I’m a dry stock farmer from Taupo. This will be my 5th year of competing in the New Zealand Rodeo circuit, my main event is Barrel racing. Although I am super excited to try my hand at breakaway roping this year. 

I started riding at the age of 8 as an English rider and I changed disciplines around the age of 20 and never looked back!

Rodeo has been an amazing sport to be involved in and I look forward to travelling the whole country with my friends, family and horses every summer. 

My team of Quarter horses this season consist of …

Rodney - my 16 year old gelding, he is my main man, he is quirky and fun and we started this journey together. Back in 2020, he has taken me through second division and we broke Open together in our 23/24 season. 

Zeus - who we call the goose ! He is a little bit special. My dad and I broke him in as a 2 year old and he is now rising 6 and has finally found his event.. Breakaway roping! This will be Zeus’s first rodeo season competing.

Oscar - is the newest member of the team he is 5 years old and he will be competing in a few barrel races throughout the season to get a feel for everything Rodeo ! 

This will be my third year partnered with Taupo equestrian supplies their support has been amazing from in store help - they have everything you could possibly need for horse and rider, to seeing their shop at the local rodeos.

You can follow on my Instagram @taylor_dbw to keep up to date with what rodeos we are heading to next and how the horses are tracking this season.

Waylon Gibson

Hi my name is Waylon, I am a 26 year old welder from Taupo. I was born and raised in Taupo but in recent years I have been moving around NZ a little. I’ve spent the last 2 years back and forth between NZ and Canada chasing rodeos in two different countries. 

This season I will be competing in the Steer Wrestling and Team Roping, with my eyes on a national title. This will be my 7th season competing in the Steer Wrestling and 15th season competing in the Team Roping. My accolades include of
2x NZ Open Steer Wrestler
1x NZ Open Team Roping Heeler
1x NZ Rookie Team Roping Heeler

Rodeos is a big part of my life as I have been competing since I was 11 years old. I love all aspects of rodeo from the competition side, the social side where everyone becomes friends/family and the animal side. Putting in countless hours training and improving our four legged friends.

This year my I will be competing on

Coop - My 8 year old Steer Wrestling horse. This will be coops first season on the steer wrestling side but his 4th season at the rodeos. Previously he has been a heeling and hazing horse.

Raz - A 5 year old Heeling horse. This will be Raz’s first season competing at the rodeos. I am very excited for Raz to fulfill his potential and see him going a long way in the rodeo arena, over several events. 

This will be my first season being partnered with Taupo Equestrian Supplies. I am very thankful for this opportunity and love the support already. With their wide range of products and knowledge I feel confident in being my best this upcoming season.

Follow me on Instagram @waylon.gibson09 to keep up to date with my seasons progress or visit a rodeo this coming summer.