This did not stop the young Middlemarch resident from scoring second place in the open bull ride at Waikouaiti Rodeo yesterday.
The key to doing well was to hold the rope tight and concentrate on the mission — staying on the bull for eight seconds.
"You've got to focus on your job," he said
It is his third season taking part in rodeos, but until this season he has only competed in the second division.
He rode his first open bull ride at the Te Anau Rodeo last week, after winning the second division bull ride earlier the same day, enabling him to break into the top category.
Although he comes from a rodeo family, he had not given much thought to competing until his cousins suggested he try bull riding as a teen. It was fun, he said.
He competes in rodeos throughout the country, and believes he is now the youngest bull rider in the open category.
Looking to the future he hopes to compete internationally, especially in the United States.
Waikouaiti Rodeo secretary Dianna Bradshaw said she was "so proud" of William, who had scored 68 points to place second. It had been a great day, she said.
The event had been held for more than 50 years, and this year more North Island cowboys had flown down to take part, she said.
"We have the most beautiful grounds in the country, near the beach."
It is a community event, and as well as categories such as bull riding, saddle bronc and bareback riding and barrel racing, there was also a lolly scramble and a children’s area.
Among the large crowd who gathered to watch the event was Ava McCauley, 11, who attended with her father and grandmother.
It was "really enjoyable", and she was most looking forward to watching the bigger bulls later in the day, she said.
Also in the crowd was Aaron Lobb, who said the event had a good atmosphere and he tried to attend most years.
