STAR rodeo champion Kolt Ferguson heads to the US to represent Australia in the National High School Finals Rodeo.
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Kolt, of Cloncurry, will be joined by five other competitors who are heading over early to get some last-minute training in.
Before arriving at Rock Springs, Wyoming, for the titles, Kolt will train at his uncle Dean McIntyre's facility.
Using Dean's specially picked horses and engaging in final preparations will no doubt benefit Kolt's performance in the July 10 to 20 event.
Both Dean and Kolt come from a long line of McIntyres involved in the rodeo.
Kolt's grandfather, Cliff, started it all back in 1967 when he first moved into Mount Isa to take part in rodeos.
Cliff competed in all six rodeo events - saddle bronc riding, bareback bronc riding, bull riding, steer wrestling, rope and tying and team roping in the late '60s and early '70s.
Once Cliff pulled the plug on his own career, he soon became enthralled in his children, Kylee and Dean's ambitions.
``Kylee holds the record for the most junior titles for any girl in Australia including bull racing champion in 1984,1985 and 1986, all round champion in 1985 and 1986 and golden run senior champion,'' Cliff McIntyre said.
``She also flew the flag for our nation at the Mid-America Centre in 1992 as Ms Rodeo Australia.'' Not to be outdone, Dean attended North-West University in Powell, Wyoming for two years, gaining selection on the college rodeo team for steer wrestling.
Dean still competes these days but will be supporting Kolt this time around.
``Kolt will have a huge family support there with him in Rock Springs along with other family friends that we have made over the years,'' McIntyre said.
``Dean will be assisting Kolt and the other participants by providing them with his hand-picked completive horses, instead of one's that are usually allocated.'' Kolt also has two younger cousins, Brandy and Kade who are both heavily involved in the sport.
Seven years ago, Kolt had both legs run over resulting in long-term damage to both his legs.
While it might have slowed him down at first, Kolt hasn't let that accident be an obstacle on his fledging career.
``Our family eats and breaths rodeo and have done for years now,'' McIntyre said. ``There's a great pedigree established and we hope that Kolt can follow in the footsteps to success.''
Kolt is hoping that this competition will act as a springboard for him following Dean into a US college. ``If he gets offered a scholarship in the US, he will be able to train to his heart's content,'' Dean said.