Bronc buster in jandals set to wow rodeo

RIDING HIGH: Corey Reuben will compete in his first rodeo at Winchester tomorrow.

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There are not many rodeo riders who have to be asked to get off the horse because they've been on too long.

But at a pre-rodeo training day recently that's exactly what happened to Corey Reuben.

The 21-year-old will be competing in his first rodeo at Winchester tomorrow but already organisers have high hopes after his exceptional performances.

In shorts and jandals, the Temuka man didn't look like your average cowboy and because of it he almost missed out on the chance.

"I just showed up in shorts and jandals and they told me to go home," he said. But once he was geared up appropriately and took to the saddle the organisers were eating their words.

Of his four rides Reuben was bucked off just once, and on one ride he had to be asked to get off as he had well-passed the required time. He said he didn't even know how long he was supposed to stay on to make the qualifying time. "I just know you've got to stay on as long as you can, and look good while you're doing it."

While this will be his first time competing in a rodeo, Reuben is no stranger to the scene, having previously been a spectator.

He is also at home with horses after growing up on a Temuka farm. When his father used to break in horses for hunting, he was always the first one put on them and had to sit out the bucking while they got used to the saddle.

Reuben hadn't ever thought of using the skill to become a rodeo rider until recently when a workmate encouraged him to give a it a go.

He admits being a little apprehensive about tomorrow's big debut.

"I'm just nervous of the crowd, not of the horses," he said.

He will compete in the saddle bronc and bareback bronc events and if he does strike success he hopes to continue with the rodeo circuit for the rest of the year.

The Winchester Rodeo starts at 10.30am tomorrow at Winchester Domain.