The laid-back but determined Dunback cowboy treated the event at Te Anau at the weekend as just another rodeo - "I just hop on the horse and do my thing" - and his approach paid off when he secured the national saddle bronc title.
Robinson (32) described the achievement as "awesome", saying it was every cowboy's dream to win a title.
Rodeo is in his blood as the Robinson family is synonymous with the sport in the South Island.
His grandfather, the late Jack Robinson, formed the Mt Studholme Rodeo Club in 1955, which was later renamed the Waimate Rodeo Club.
His father Chris used to ride broncs and was also a pick-up rider, while his mother Wendy was a barrel racer and the first woman president of the New Zealand Rodeo Cowboys AssociationHis uncle Brian won a few saddle bronc titles, another uncle Johnny is a judge, cousin Richard is a rodeo clown and another cousin John Mitchell, who is in the North Island, has also competed with success in saddle bronc.
Robinson won the rookie saddle bronc title in 2004 but a hernia the following year put him out of action for a couple of years.
Working shifts at the Macraes gold mine also made it difficult to compete.
Now a self-employed farrier, along with breaking in horses, the 2010-11 season was his first full season back into the sport.
At Te Anau, Robinson was placed first equal for his first ride and first for his second, after being awarded a re-ride.
He received a saddle and a buckle, along with a "good pay cheque".
The saddle will hang in the Mornington Tavern - his sponsor - for a while.
Robinson is looking forward to competing against Australian cowboys as part of a New Zealand contingent attending the Sydney Royal Show next month.
"After that, it'll be chill out time. Weekends at home," he said.
Other national champions were.-Bareback, Rex Church; rope and tie, Anthony Perkins; barrel race, Angie Perkins; steer wrestling, Rex Church; team roping, Anthony Perkins and Bert Elstob; bull riding, Adam Jamison; all-round champion, Rex Church.
