TUMUT bull rider Jesse Pendergast plans to literally take the bull by the horns, in a bid to make a name for himself on the rodeo circuit in the United States later this year.
The teenager will have the chance to turn some heads with his bull-riding skills when he competes in the National High School Finals Rodeo.
The competition will feature more than 1700 contestants from 43 states in the US, as well as some bull riders from Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and Canada.
The prestigious event will take place on July 17 at Rock Springs, Wyoming – a place that embraces the cowboy culture.
“I qualified from the Australian High Schools championships which lead to the world championships, so I’ll be doing that while I’m over there,” Jesse said.
“I’ve only heard of two or three others from Australia that have made it big over there before.
“It’ll be a big eye-opener, but I hope I’ll get noticed.”
He will jet off to the US on June 1.
“I’ve been there twice before, but both times I went to Texas,” Jesse said.
“The first time I went, I was on the rodeo circuit and I was getting on the bulls the second time I went – that was last year.
“I’ll be there for about two months, but I think I’ll be riding bulls almost every day.”
The 16-year-old won’t be sitting twiddling his thumbs during his two-month visit across the pond.
He has secured a job through a family friend and will be based in Walla Walla, which is located in the state of Washington.
“I’ll be doing things like building cattle yards there,” Jesse said.
Jesse, who said he had been riding bulls for seven years, also plans to participate in some Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association events.
He believes his time in the US, while competing in these events, could be a stepping stone to bigger things for him if he performs well.
His ambition, once he has turned 18 years old, is to qualify for the prestigious National Finals Rodeo in Nevada, against arguably, the best bull riders in the world.
“If you win enough money you get to qualify for the final in Las Vegas – they take the top 10 riders with the most prize money from qualifying events,” Jesse said.
“I think that’s held every December.
“It’s been a big dream of mine to get there and ride in that one.”
