For most people, the idea of jumping on a bull and trying to hold on would seem a nightmare.
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For Toby Collins, it's just another day at the office. But the bull riding champion admits even he gets a little nervous sometimes.
"When you're starting out, it all goes so quick. It's rough and you don't really know what's happening," he said.
"But once you get over that bit, it's pretty cool. You sort of know what's going on and [suddenly] you're daring to jump a little high and kick a little harder. I guess you can call it a little bit of nerves. But you have to be pretty aware of what's going on - you can't be carefree. You need to be paying attention."
Collins is one of 25 elite bull riders gearing up to entertain at Australia's richest bull riding and country music spectacular, Rodeo 4 Life, at WIN Entertainment Centre this Saturday night. All funds raised will be donated to the RPA Transplant Institute.
Bull riders will attempt to stay mounted for the full eight seconds on the legendary JP Gill and Sons' rodeo bulls.
Collins, 27, arrives in Wollongong with a strong reputation. His list of achievements including being named the Australian Professional Rodeo Association's Rookie Bull Riding Champion in 2011.
Collins, who hails from Maldon in Victoria, has spent most of the past six years competing in rodeos across the US.
He took home the 2018 Cloverdale Bull Riding Champion title and qualified for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Texas Circuit Finals three years ago.
When you're starting out, it all goes so quick. It's rough and you don't really know what's happening.
- Toby Collins
Collins said he was now proud to return to Australia and get behind Rodeo 4 Life.
"I'm pretty excited about it and it's all for such a good cause," Collins said.
"I think it will be a tough competition. I haven't really been over here for a while but I was flicking through the list the other day and there's some pretty good competitors. Sam Goodall is going to be there, Keith Richardson is going to be there. Bryden Atkins, Ben Atkins, I'm pretty sure Will Purcell is going too.
"I think bull riding's growing in popularity here, but I haven't been around much in Australia since 2013.
"Rodeos have just got a lot bigger following over there [in the US]. The fans, sponsors, the competition, everything. But I had to come back to get my visa renewed [this month] and it worked in with this event."
Rodeo 4 Life producer Doug Vickers is using the event to increase awareness of organ donations. Vickers said he was thrilled to have such a fine bull riding line-up that would keep people "on the edge of their seats".
"Rodeo 4 Life champion bull riders and the audience will be part of something that's so much more than a night of exciting entertainment," he said.
"By promoting the need to register to become an organ donor and funding this vital research at RPATI, we'll be increasing the number of organs that can be transplanted and together we'll save more lives."
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