Toowoomba’s Dusty Schroeder shines brightest in Carly Hibberd Memorial

Toowoomba’s Dusty Schroeder had her tenacity on full display as she claimed a very special honour in the Carly Hibberd Memorial Trophy at Toowoomba BMX Club.

Dusty Schroeder won the Carly Hibberd Memorial Trophy at the Toowoomba BMX Club. Photo: Sean Teuma

BMX: Dusty Schroeder only knows one way to ride, and that’s to go full throttle.

The young Toowoomba rider did exactly that as she took out a very special honour.

The nine-year-old was named as the recipient of the Carly Hibberd Memorial Trophy for most tenacious rider as featured on the Girls Night Out at Toowoomba BMX Club.

Schroeder stood out in a bumper field with local riders and those from Brisbane and Ipswich to catch the eye of Carly’s parents Mark and Rosyln.

“It was exciting because I had a chance to win it,” Dusty said.

“I wanted to get it. I like to chase people.”

Dusty’s mother Roxanne said she was proud of her daughter’s efforts on the track, and said the $500 from I Ride Bikes would go towards a new helmet.

“I was super proud on Friday night for all the girls that were here and for her to be one of the younger girls to come through and get the award was nice,” Roxanne said.

“When she’s out on the track she’s like a little machine.

“As Dusty doesn’t have a sponsor, I’m her sponsor, so any little help we can get (is great).”

An incredible sense of competition and determination to succeed has driven Dusty since she started riding as a five-year-old.

“I started because my brother (Ryder) raced and I was going to BMX most weekends,” she said.

“Sometimes we had to race up because we didn’t have enough people or it would just kind of be an easy race.

“I like racing them (older kids) because it gives me competition.”

Dusty has performed well at state championships, including a first place finish two years running and second this time around.

“It’s a lot of hard training, that’s one thing for sure,” she said.

“I do two normal trainings and one with my coach (Nick Vonhoff). He shows us how to get past people when we’re racing.”

For the tight-knit group, the chance to travel around the state is a blessing for the family.

“(It’s not a hassle) Not when you see the kids on the track and for them to be in the competition you just have to do that,” she said.

“This year she won the state series and went as far as Gladstone.”

“I enjoy travelling and finding new places and seeing lots of different towns,” Dusty said.