Spectators of the Coonamble rodeo may have seen up-and-coming cowboy Jonte Handebo compete in the novice division for 18 to 21-year olds. 

He is one of very few Asian cowboys in Australia, earning him the nickname “the Korean Cowboy.”

Jonte came to Australia at just ten months of age when his parents Cherrie and Mathew Handebo adopted him. He grew up on a property near Molong. Last year his parents decided to move into town but Jonte misses life on the farm.

“Heck no, I prefer the property,” he said.

The 19-year-old got on a bull for the first time about a year ago after watching one of his friends go bull riding.

“I saw what he was doing and I was like, ‘Mate, you’re gonna die.”

His friend offered to take him to practise in Orange and despite his initial aversion to the risk, Jonte agreed. 

He described his first time getting on a bull as “unreal”.

“It’s one of the things you just have to experience yourself. It’s like an addiction. You get past the fear point and then just keep going.”

“And then you just always try to outdo your last ride. “

PHOTO: The Korean Cowboy dreams of becoming a champion.

He and his friend Billy O’Neil soon signed up to five rodeos despite having little prior experience.

Jonte made his rodeo debut at Coonamble last year. 

“We just kept signing up. We had nowhere really to practise to be honest.”

That all changed when he met veteran bull rider Charlie Webster at the rodeo in Cobar. 

“I met him when I got on my second or third ever bull. Got bucked off, went behind the chutes and he just asked how long I’ve been doing it for.” 

Charlie offered Jonte and his friend the chance to practise at his pen in Neville, south west of Bathurst, to “show them how to do it properly.”

Yet, before he could even get there Jonte had signed up for another rodeo in Nevertire. 

This time, the bull made Jonte work for his points. 

“It was going ballistic,” Jonte said. 

Nonetheless, he was able to stay on the bull for seven seconds which left a lasting impression on Charlie.

Since then, Jonte has been training on Charlie’s property with his sons Alex and Troy Webster.

Three months ago, Jonte’s bull riding career reached new heights when the Western country clothing store Lucknow Skin Shop & Boot Barn sponsored him. 

“Their support has been unreal,” Jonte said. “It’s made so much more possible for me.”

Jonte has been to over ten rodeos but said he is still finding his groove when it comes to bull riding. 

“I don’t really like competing at rodeos because I’m not at the skill level yet. I’d rather practise in the pen and get as good as I can.”

Fortunately, he has never had any major injures despite a few bumps and bruises. 

“I count myself pretty lucky. Out of all my mates, I’m the one with the least injuries.”

Jonte got his nickname the “Korean cowboy” from his footy mates. “I went down to training and they were like, ‘Oh, the first Korean cowboy.’ And then I guess the name just stuck.”

Although some people initially dismiss Jonte because of his ethnicity, he doesn’t let that deter him. 

“One of the guys behind the chutes, he kind of just ignored me at first but now, people come up and they have a yarn.”

Jonte trains every week and hopes to improve his score at the Coonamble rodeo next year.

“I have big goals and dreams of becoming a champion,” Jonte said.