An Oamaru cowboy is one of the few 9-year-olds who could tell you what you see while lying under a bucking steer.
Codee Cleaver, of Maheno, is the premier cowboy in the junior steer-riding rankings, sweeping first place in 11 rodeos this season — so far.
The haul of No 1 spots comes off the back of winning the New Zealand 2024 junior steer-riding national title.
However, his proven skill did not make him impervious to the wild ways of a bucking steer.
At the end of his winning run in the Outram Rodeo junior steer-ride, Codee found himself trampled on the ground underneath his kicking steer.
"I don’t even know, I think I might’ve been blacked out," a slightly bruised Codee said, after exiting an ambulance.
This season, he has been bucked off twice, and said it was "no worries" as it was all part of the sport.
Codee’s father, Jack Cleaver, said practice made perfect.
"We’re working on his get-offs ... but it happens, it’s all part of it.
"I saw him get rumbled over and here I found him, looking for me."
This weekend, Codee would be back back on a steer competing at the Southland Rodeo in Invercargill.
His practice at home consisted of getting on his neighbour’s Jersey bulls — with his father’s supervision — for a bit of last-minute training.
Codee’s victory list is so large, the rodeo announcer at the Outram Rodeo yesterday seemed to have a hard time listing his wins.
The Southland announcer would be adding a new first place to his list this coming weekend, Mr Cleaver said.
Last October, Codee was in the United States competing at the world championship miniature bull-riding, where he finished fourth in the peewee mini bull grade.
His ultimate goal was to win New Zealand, Australian and world titles in the same year.
During the year, however, Codee is a normal primary school pupil, despite spending some mornings practising his craft.
While summer was reserved for trekking around New Zealand on the rodeo circuit, winter was all about rugby.
This year, he hopes to be given the No 7 position, just like the "great Richie McCaw".
Outram Rodeo president James Adam said there was about 2000 people at the event watching the cowboys.
"Not much green grass left on the bank," he said.
One man had a "sore leg", but other than that the day was a success.
