We are excited to introduce Layney Deguara, a fierce young competitor and rising star of rodeo and our newest rider to sign on with Team Wrangler/Twisted X. Layney focuses her rodeo career on Barrel Racing and Breakaway Roping, and hails from Nebo in Queensland. She got into rodeo through her family. Layney’s dad has always competed, and her family was going with him every weekend, so both Layney and her brother decided follow in his footsteps by competing as well.

She’s the 2023 APRA Junior High Point Cowgirl Champion, a multiple Barrel Racing winner, a 3-time APRA Junior NFR Qualifier, 2-time APRA Open NFR Qualifier and 2-time NHSRA Australian Team Member. She describes herself as driven, trustworthy, and reliable. Fun fact about Layney, she’s been riding since she was two years of age.

When we caught up with Layney, we asked about her biggest influences and her response was, “my mum, although she may not have started competing until after I did, she has shaped me as a person and continues to everyday, inside and outside of the arena.” So, it’s fair to say that at the youthful age of 18 years, her fondest memory of competing is when she competed at the NJHSRA finals in America. She describes the atmosphere as being “on another level”, and the experience as once in a lifetime. She says that she’s made lifelong friends and learned new and innovative skills at these events.

Our team here at Wrangler and Twisted X are always keen to support the younger generations of any sport - in this case, barrel racing and breakaway roping - that are beginning to pursue their dreams. We like to give our professional riders the opportunity to offer some words of wisdom for their journey ahead. Layney would say that the important part is, “To have fun! If you're not enjoying yourself, what is the point? Do not get wrapped up in the points. Enjoy the process, and the rest will take care of itself.”

We’ve come to that point of the interview when we ask our sponsored riders for their best fashion tips, with western fashion trends being our main focus to us here at Wrangler, it’s always interesting to hear our riders’ fashion ideas. When we asked Layney for her fashion tips, her response was, “Wear what makes you confident! Confidence, in yourself and your ability is vital.”

In 2024, Layney and her family will continue to compete together, until she departs to the US to attend college.

photography credit: Purple Fairy Imagery