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Posted: 2024-08-18 20:22:34

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.

steer bucking a young competitor

Archie says you need to think and act fast to be a good bull rider. (ABC Goldfields: Giulia Bertoglio)

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. 

father and son at a rodeo

Reece Wardlow and Archie both love riding bulls. (ABC Goldfields: Giulia Bertoglio)

"Life is dangerous," Archie's dad, ex-bull rider Reece Wardlow says.

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

Other parents of young competitors at Coolgardie Rodeo agree.

close up of a child's hands resting on his jeans

Archie says rodeo "will probably get rid of a lot of your fears". (ABC Goldfields: Giulia Bertoglio)

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!"  

composite picture of young family wearing cowboy hats and boy riding a bull

Cash travels to rodeos around Australia and in the US with his mum, Jo Kestel. (Supplied: Jo Kestel)

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.

girl riding a bucking steer

Many rodeo parents say the sport teaches life skills. (ABC Goldfields: Giulia Bertoglio)

"A lot of the rodeo kids have a huge amount of respect because they are around an extreme sport."

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. 

young woman riding a white horse at sunset

"It's important to keep families together and be involved in a sport together," Jo Kestel says. (ABC Goldfields: Giulia Bertoglio)

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".

portrait of blonde teenager in a rodeo arena

Lucy Oversby, 13, has been riding horses since she can remember.  (ABC Goldfields: Giulia Bertoglio)

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.

"It drives you to be better," Lucy, 13, explains.

composite pic showing a white horse galloping and horse hoofs lifting dust

Young competitors travel to Coolgardie and other rodeos across Australia. (ABC Goldfields: Giulia Bertoglio)

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.

people watching a rodeo at sunset

Parents and experienced cowboys encourage children competing at the Coolgardie Rodeo. (ABC Goldfields: Giulia Bertoglio)

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?"

child playing with a lazo

"I'm the only one at my school who does any of this stuff," Archie says. (ABC Goldfields: Giulia Bertoglio)

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