National rodeo title for Clarks Junction rider

The thrill and rush of bareback riding keeps a young Otago man coming back for more rodeo action.

Joe Fentiman, of Clarks Junction, was named national bareback champion on Saturday after taking his season's winnings to $7156. At the Wairere South Romneys National Finals Rodeo in Lawrence on Friday and Saturday, the 23-year-old scored well throughout the three "go-rounds", staying in the top three each time.

The rider got involved in the sport eight years ago.

"I got on my first horse at 15 and did three or four rodeos each year for the first three years." He became more serious about rodeo when he was 18, competing regularly in the national rodeo circuit.

"Bareback is all I've ever done. It's a thrill - a real rush. You can't quit and you have to give it everything." Fentiman works on a sheep and beef farm and said he got most of his practice by competing in overseas rodeos.

"I travel to Canada in the winter and compete in rodeos there. Canada has the best bucking horses, they have been solely bred for bucking.

Everything is centred in Alberta - they are really big on rodeo there." He will return to Canada in May for another rodeo season.

Fentiman said overseas competitors were friendly and happy to give advice.

"You only see the really good riders, and they are really good with giving out advice. You learn heaps from them." And advice for those interested in the sport?

"If you want to do it, make sure you go behind the chute, tell the guys you're keen and have a good talk to them. They'll help you but you need to put yourself out there."