Goodnight, you moonlight ladies

New Zealand's oldest competing cowboy is thinking about hanging up his spurs after an international rodeo event in Christchurch in November.

Larry Williamson (48), of Riccarton Rd, Mosgiel, has been competing for 34 years and has twice won a New Zealand title.

He has also suffered two broken legs, 28 broken ribs and has twice broken his back - an injury that put him out of action for a couple of seasons.

"But it's come right now. They reckon it's stronger now than it was before I broke it."

Ironically, the Taieri blacksmith is receiving accident compensation for a back injury he suffered at work.

Mr Williamson, who was born in Gore, followed his father on to the rodeo circuit, starting out riding sheep and calves.

Since then, he has competed in bull riding, bareback and steer wrestling, but now specialises in saddle bronc riding, because "that's what I'm good at".

He was the 2008 New Zealand champion.

Mr Williamson said he still got an adrenaline rush from each eight-second ride, in an event that required skill and good timing.

At the Christchurch event, on November 14, Mr Williamson will be one of 12 New Zealanders in a field of 32.

Other competitors come from the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil and Australia.

Mr Williamson considered his chances were "fair to average", although most of his competitors would be in their early 20s.

Asked if the event might be the end of the road for him, Mr Williamson said: "Yeah, it's getting towards that way."

Meanwhile, he has gone to compete in a saddle bronc event in an international rodeo in Mexico.

mark.price@odt.co.nz