Piney Creek youth competes on rodeo circuit; looks forward to Sparta event By DARLENE WYATT Staff Heather Williams of Piney Creek has found a pastime she loves, and this weekend she gets to compete at it here in Alleghany. The second annual Mid-Atlantic Junior Championship Rodeo will be this Friday and Saturday at the Alleghany County Fairgrounds. Williams has been competing in barrel racing for about two years. She follows the Mid-Atlantic circuit. Williams and her horse, Czar, finished in the top 10 in the circuit last year. Czar is a nine-year-old Appaloosa mare.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT - Heather Williams and her horse, Czar, practice for the Mid-Atlantic Junior Rodeo that will be held at the Carlisle Higgins Agricultural Fairgrounds this weekend. Williams participates in the barrel racing competition.

"I'm excited about this weekend," Williams said. Even though Williams is only 15, it took her several years to find just the right event to compete at rodeos and horse show events.

"I used to compete in western pleasure, but I didn't like it too much," Williams said.

Barrel racing is a timed event, where the horse and rider perform a clover-leaf pattern around three barrels.

"She's fast and she puts me in the money," Williams said referring to Czar. "She doesn't have all the speed, but she's consistent when I run her."

Williams has been riding since she was about two. Her ease and familiarity are evident as she maneuvers Czar through her warm-up exercises in the large covered arena off N.C. 221. The arena and barn belong to Williams' uncle and aunt, Naasson and Theresea Williams.

"They're my haulers," Williams said jokingly, adding, "Everyone thinks I'm their daughter."

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