Sam O'Connor perfectly epitomises the stereotype. The 22-year-old from Tully is on the comeback trail from injury, after tearing his PCL at the start of the year while competing.

After sustaining the injury in late February, it is little beyond miraculous to see O'Connor back out on the circuit riding bulls just two months on.

"I'm just coming back at the moment, trying to get strength back into the knee," he said. "It's still not 100 per cent, but I've been working hard to get it right with my treatment and physio. "I still worry about it a lot, there's still a lot of pain involved in the knee, but I'm really trying to put it behind me."

Coming off a career best year, which saw him qualify for the Australian titles and finish sixth in the championship standings, O'Connor is ready to continue his meteoric rise up the ranks and take the country by storm.

"My main goal for this year is to get to number one, and become the Australian champion," he said.

"Last year's goal was to get to the Australian titles, this year I really want to better than and keep improving...I really don't want to go backwards.

"Hopefully I can get over to the (United) States in the next few years and then who knows, hopefully I can eventually win a world title."

To this date, O'Connor boasts a high-marked ride of 89 points on Darren Brandenburg bull Pathfinder, but he remains bullish about his chances moving forward, and he's not afraid to raise the bar and reach for the stars. "That (USA) is the main goal, I know deep down that's a long way away, that's why I'm not getting carried away, I'm focused on the Australian title at the moment," he said.

"The minute you stop setting goals is the minute you stop improving...you've just gotta cowboy up and get on with it, there's not a lot you can do about it.

"You know it's a sport where you're going to get hurt, so you get on with it...build a bridge and move on."

He has already proved he is more than capable on the Australian circuit, finishing second at the Darwin PBR Touring Pro Event, as well as racking up six more top 10 finishes.

O'Connor's interest in bull riding began at the age of 11 and inspired by family members to jump on.

"When I was younger my uncle was really into it, he was a professional bull fighter," he said. "My brother also rode bulls and they threw me into one one-day and I haven't looked back since. "You certainly get that adrenaline rush but it's also pretty fun too, you get those good nights spinning bulls and you enjoy every second of it...you wish time would never end.

"Then on the other hand you get on the rough ones and it feels like it goes on forever."

Boulia Rodeo and Campdraft

Today - 3pm Campdraft (Juvenile draft 13 years and under 17s, Junior draft eight years under 13s, Encouragement draft 17 years and over). 7pm Rodeo (Open barrel race, Junior barrel race, double barrel race). Tomorrow - 9am Gymkhana, 6.45am campdraft (Ladies draft, Maiden draft, Open draft first round, Maiden final, Open draft second round. 4.30pm - Rodeo (Open and junior bulls, Open and junior steer ride, Open station buckjump). Sunday - 6.45am campdraft (Novice draft, Novice final, Open final, Futurity draft open to maiden horses five years and under).