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Kempsey’s Levi Ward’s long list of accolades continues to grow after he was awarded the best junior rider of the ABCRA Mullewa Championship Rodeo in Western Australia.
The nine-year-old finished first in two steer rides and third in the barrell race after he clipped one of the barrells.
He would have finished in first place if it wasn’t for the error, which added five seconds to his total time.
He was declared the best junior rider due to his successful results which saw him accumulate the most points out of all riders 18 years or under.
Levi competes at rodeos every weekend and rarely finishes outside the top two positions in his eight to 11 years old age group.
“I compete every weekend except for maybe one or two each year,” Levi said.
“It is my favourite thing to do so I don’t consider it training and I am always jumping on the back of one of the steers on the farm or watching videos on riding.”
Levi isn’t afraid to ask for advice off experienced riders.
“I talk to the open bullriders who have been competing for years and they are always happy to give me tips.”
Levi’s motivation to learn will help him achieve his goal to compete at a professional level across Australia and America.
“I want to be a professional one day,” Levi said.
“It is my dream to ride at all the big rodeos across America and the world.”
Levi’s parents do their best to support his dreams.
“He is ready to go compete in America now,” Levi’s father Dean Ward said.
“It would be another test over there, it is a bigger sport in America but the prizes and accolades are bigger too.
“We would love to send him there now but the costs would be massive and we just can’t afford it.”
Ward said his son wouldn’t be able to participate in the thing he loves most if it wasn’t for their sponsors Tumblegum Bakehouse, Kempsey Stock and Land, Red Point, Gulf Western Oils, John Geange Smash Repairs kempseyMavin Hino and NRMA Mid North Coast.
Levi will compete at Coffs Harbour this weekend.