Ten-year-old Gunnedah-based mini bull rider Chase Berry is moving along in leaps and bounds in more ways than one.

After starting his mini bull riding career only two years ago at the Coonamble Rodeo where he was launched off the mini bull in less than two seconds, he has become a two-time Australian champion.

The St Xavier’s year 4 student has travelled all over Australia to compete in the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) events this year, including at Tamworth, Mackay, Orange, Scone, Nowra, Hawkesbury, Beaudesert, Rockhampton, Townsville and Caboolture.

Chase has accomplished many goals he set at the start of the year, with the major one to become the PBR Pee-wees mini bull champion.

At Tamworth last month Chase was awarded his trophy buckle for this, and now he looks forward to competing next year in the next age division.

Since being awarded the buckle at Tamworth, Chase was invited to ride at grand finals in Townsville (an exhibition for the championship winners for each age group).

With a huge crowd attending, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for a 10-year-old.

For this young cowboy it was his second Australian championship for the year, having been awarded champion for the 7-12yr Mini Bull Riders in the National Rodeo Association (NRA) Junior series competition at Goombungee earlier in the year.

Chase will compete in the coming weeks at the NRA grand finals in Ipswich, involving the top 12 in Australia.

It hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows for Chase, as there has been a lot of training as well as a mental game to overcome his fears from being hung up in the arena.

He has nonetheless shown grit and determination, saying “if you play game you’ve got to take the pain”.

When talking to Chase and asking how he gets through the eight seconds, he said, “For eight seconds you’ve just got to put everything else out of your mind, and if you can’t do that then you can’t be a bull rider.

“The bull feels what you’re feeling, it’s not your friend and you don’t want to make it angry.”

Chase said the adrenaline rush and that “everyone’s friends with everyone” are what he enjoys most about the sport.

Chase’s dad Matt said, “At home he spends hours on a medicine ball to improve his balance, and most of the time he will be watching Australian and American PBR events on YouTube.

“He also practices out on the drop barrel in the backyard for 30 minutes every day, and that’s how he trains for the events.”

Matt said the sport is a “very technical sport with a lot to learn about technique”, while Chase’s exercises help improve his skills while he’s on the back of the mini beast.

Matt said this year alone they have clocked up more than 18,000km on the road when driving to the PBR events; a commitment that the entire family makes for Chase’s dreams.

Chase said he would like to one day be a PBR world champion and compete in the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) which is held annually in Las Vagas, as well as be a part of the Texas Rattlers for the PBR teams just like his idol Brady Fielder.

Judging by his achievements this year, Chase Berry will be one to watch on the rodeo circuit for years to come.