HE'S only been back on Aussie soil for two months, but Tamworth teenager Bradie Gray has raked in enough points in the half dozen bullrides he's attended in that time to be named Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Rookie of the Year.
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He even grabbed victory in the first bullride after touching down on his return home from college in America.
"I got off the plane and went straight to Grafton PBR and won that with scores of 84 and 83," the 19-year-old said. For his rookie crown, Bradie landed a trophy buckle, $5000 cash bonus along with a juicy sponsorship deal.
Bradie has already completed two years in the States as part of a college team, where he's mixing learning the trade of welding, with competing at various bullrides across the south-west region of Texas.
"The top four in that go into the finals. They were in June, but I didn't make the cut because I'd had a fair few injuries in the last year. I'll just have to focus on next year and try and keep away from injuries," Bradie said, as he prepares to fly out next month for his final year of study/competition.
And for a 19-year-old chip off the old block - his dad was well-known bullrider Mick Gray - Bradie has accumulated more than his young share of injuries to date.
"Twelve months ago I hurt my back and had to have three months on the sidelines. I came back, but then broke my jaw on two separate occasions, first on the right, then on the left. I had to have my jaw wired shut for both those, then just before Christmas, I tore my groin in half. My plan when I go back next month, is to try and stay injury-free so I can make the finals, and complete my welding course,” Bradie said.
When he finishes his course next year, Bradie's current plan is to return home to his beloved PBR circuit and chase a top crown locally.
"I'd love to go back to America later on and pursue a big career over there," he said. Bradie ranks the American bulls as no better than the Australia stock, but "there's a lot more of them over there", he joked.
Success at such a young age though, doesn't come as any surprise. Bradie, who believes that a good bullrider must have a good attitude, good mental outlook to riding and be fit, can already boast six steer riding titles with the local Australian Bushmen's Campdraft & Rodeo Association (ABCRA) before breaking into the open bullriding ranks.
And despite riding at high levels in the States, Bradie still reckons his best result to date was on Australian soil.
"I won a round of the Last Cowboy Standing just before last week's finals in Brisbane. That's probably my most memorable so far."
