Archie Wardlow is about to jump on a steer but his small legs, covered up to the knee in cowboy boots, don't shake.

There's no time for nerves and fear, Archie is analysing and reacting.

"What's the steer going to do? What am I going to do?" he asks.

"It's a bit of a challenge," he declares.

Especially for a 10-year-old, but this kind of problem-solving is not new to the cowboy, who first jumped onto a steer at age seven on a New Year's Eve at a family friend's property.

For the last year and a half, he's competed in rodeos with no major injuries but bruising his ego a few times. 

His most recent meet was the bustling Coolgardie Rodeo in WA's Goldfields on Friday. 

"He's a lot better kid for doing it, more confident and more outgoing."

Other parents of young competitors at Coolgardie Rodeo agree.

With great danger comes responsibility 

Cash Kestel, a 15-year-old who rides steers and young bulls, doesn't lack in confidence.

"It's a good pen of steers, healthy, looking good," he says studying the beasts through the gates.

"Hopefully I'll get the win!"  

Cash's mum, former Australia rodeo queen Jo Kestel, supports her son, who spends hours in the arena and at the gym to become the best in his sport.  

"It teaches them to grow up," she says.

Ms Kestel admits bull riding is "one of the most dangerous sports in the world", but says young competitors have more than helmets and protective gear to keep them safe.

Cash says rodeo has taught him respect for rules, animals and, above all, people.

"If you don't respect them, and act like a douche, you won't get far," he says.

Rodeo has taken him and his family all across Australia and to the United States where the sport has its largest and most lucrative events. 

Saddling up and lifting up

Lucy Oversby is one of few young rodeo competitors who got to travel to America and one of many who were "born into it".

Her mum Amanda Oversby is glad Lucy followed her parents' hoof prints.

"It's one of those sports where you put kids in an environment where they are the centre of attention, and they have to lift to a high level," Ms Oversby says.

Even when her performance could be better, she has the best attitude.

"Even when you do a bad run, you still have to walk out of the arena with a smile," she says.

Archie seems to know that too, after not winning at the Coolgardie Rodeo, he's already thinking about the next run and his dream of competing in the US like Lucy and Cash.

But his next goal is to find a rodeo close enough for his school friends to come and watch him.

"My teacher always asks me: when's your next rodeo?"