There is no doubt in the mind of Kundabung’s Levi Ward - he wants to be a professional bull rider.
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The 10-year-old will take another step towards achieving his dream when he travels to America to compete in the Youth Bull Riding World Finals in August.
The boy from a small country town will take on the best riders from across the globe and he’s up for the challenge.
“I am very excited and can’t believe it’s finally happening, I will be going to another country to compete and represent my country,” Levi told the Argus.
“I want to finish in the top 10 and that’s going to be pretty hard, I am setting the bar high for myself.”
Levi will compete in the steer riding Under 8-11s division and he’s expected to be facing up to 70 competitors.
“America has more rodeos and bigger and better competitions,” Levi said.
“There’s more events to compete in and you get more of a chance to test yourself.”
The junior cowboy is hoping to make the trip to America an annual event and one day wants to relocate to the country to compete in higher quality rodeos on a regular basis.
“I want to be a professional bull rider and this rodeo will give me a chance to earn more sponsorship and get recognised,” Levi said.
The top two from each association across the world are invited to compete in the World Finals and Levi qualifies under the Australian Bushmen's Campdraft and Rodeo Association for his age group.
Levi will compete in four other rodeos during his three weeks in America.
The confident Kundabung resident was excited to ride bulls in the Under-17 Junior Bull Riding division at the Church Rodeos but as he was still nine in January, he isn’t eligible to compete in the higher age bracket.
Levi will compete on steers in the Under 8-11 division at the Church Rodeos.
In preparation for his trip to Texas, Levi will practice in the arena set up on his farm that has a full bucking shute and bucking stock.
Levi practices at least once a week and travels large distances across the state to compete in a rodeo almost every weekend.
To make the trip affordable, Levi’s sponsors are working together to help raise the necessary funds.
A raffle will be held with goods donated by Tumblegum Bakehouse, Milly Hill Meats, Preen Engineering and Red Point.
An auction of donated goods will be held at the Kempsey Cattle Sale on May 19 at 10.45am.
