TALENTED young cowboy Kade Attenborough might soon have to start calling the United States “home”.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Why?
He’ll be spending a lot of time overseas after gaining selection in the Australian High School Rodeo Association (AHSRA) team – along with Merriwa’s Polly Gardner, Blandford’s Tyler Palmer, Chris Wilson of Scone, Cassilis’ Taine Nash and Coolah’s Linden Raen, which is travelling to South Dakota in June and July; and qualifying for the World Youth Bullriding Finals in Texas, a month later, for the third consecutive year.
If he makes the top 15 there, Attenborough will receive an invitation to the Junior National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in Las Vegas.
But, the youngster isn’t daunted by the challenges ahead.
“It was a bit of a surprise [being named] – they took the top four bullriders,” the Muswellbrook High School Year 8 student said.
“Competitors gained points throughout the season; and then contested the Australian High School Rodeo Association (AHSRA) national finals, which featured events such as bullriding, barrel racing, breakaway roping, pole bending, ribbon roping, chute dogging and bareback steer riding, at Murrurundi last month.
“I went there with the intention of winning, however ended up third overall.
“The result didn’t really disappoint me, as I still made it in the junior team (the only one from NSW).
“I haven’t ridden at South Dakota before, so it should be a pretty good test.”
The 13-year-old will return for 16 days, according to dad Mat, before flying out again for the July 30 to August 4 event at Abilene.
Attenborough finished 23rd in his first Texan stint, and 31st in 2017 after stepping up an age group.
“It would be good to improve on that,” he said.
“At least I’ll compete against riders closer to my age this time.
“It’s a great experience, especially learning what they do in another country.
“Dad and I were hoping to meet up with Singleton’s Cody Heffernan overseas, too, but he’ll be back in Australia.
“I’d like to make a career out of bullriding.”
Attenborough Snr has also kick-started some fundraising to assist his son.
“It’s getting hard [financially] to attend so many events, whether they’re here or away,” he said.
“So, we’re selling stubbie holders with an image of Kade on them.
“We’ve sold out of the first lot; and had to order more.
“But, it would be good to secure a bit of sponsorship along the way.”