DON'T LET GO.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
That will be the one thought running through the minds of Colby Edgar and Blake Christie in the immediate lead-up to their rides this week at the Australian Mini Bull Championships.
The pair said they keep it pretty simple when they sit atop a bull that's ready to buck them off as soon as the chute blasts open.
"Yeah, don't let go. Ride it, I guess. Do your job," Colby said on what he's thinking in those pre-ride moments.
READ ALSO:
It's easier said than done but these two have been there and done it before.
Christie is ranked second and Edgar fifth in Australia in the mini bulls category.
The Australian Mini Bull Championships at Gracemere on May 6-7 will be the pair's last crack in the mini bulls before making the step up to the junior bulls.
The boys, who both recently turned 15, have already had a taste of the junior bulls category at the world qualifiers in April.
They didn't qualify for the world finals but both bull riders gained a stack of confidence heading into this week's championships.
"Yeah, feeling pretty confident. We're both on our games - riding well," Edgar said.
Christie added: "It was good for the first year up on those stronger bulls.
"We've only just come up from the mini bulls and now we're stepping up to the junior bulls."
Christie and Edgar will also ride for the NSW team in the State of Origin final at Gracemere after winning the earlier rounds.
"There's already been two rounds and the Blues being the Blues, we went straight out and smashed it," Christie said.
They also have the chance to ride in the short go round as part of the opening event of the PBR season at the Great Western Hotel.
The top eight riders in their category will make the short go.
The young guns aren't immune to nerves but if they do come out on the big stage, the pair know how to handle it.
"If I do get a bit nervous, I try and convert that nervous energy into aggression," Edgar said.
"It eventually calms down and turns into energy that can really help you get to the end."
Christie added: "You have to keep a very positive mindset."
Edgar and Christie have kept busy on the 13-hour drive to Gracemere by doing several rodeos along the way.
The Australian Mini Bull Championships, the first event of its kind run in Australia, will also offer up $12,000 in money and prizes across the three age divisions.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark northerndailyleader.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News