Clay Bush, Ashleigh Bush, and Wayne Crisp are deep in preparation for the rodeo, and none are strangers to the rigours of the sport.

"I've been involved with horses my whole life in different disciplines," Clay said in an email to the Tribune.

"My Dad also competes, which is what got me involved in rodeo, and I started competing at about 10."

Like Clay, Ashleigh was introduced to the sport through her family at a young age, though her path to rodeo differed slightly.

"I started riding at local horse sports and western pleasure shows, and then started competing in rodeos from around 12 years of age," she said.

The three riders will take part in different disciplines.

Clay will compete in the Rope and Tie, Team Roping, and Steer Wrestling, while Ashleigh will contest the Ladies Breakaway Roping and Steer Undecorating, while Crisp will take part in the iconic Bullride.

Arguably the most physically risky and demanding aspect of the rodeo, Crisp's plans for the Bullride are straightforward.

"[My plan is] to stay on and ride my bull and do my job," Crisp said.

"There's no real tricks, they are unpredictable if you set a plan or try to cheat them. Nine times out of 10 they will do something different to what they usually do, and throw you off."

While the Bullride is the most obviously dangerous of the disciplines, all of the aspects of a rodeo possess inherent risk.

This risk, Clay said, is best negated by tireless practice and preparation.

"I pride myself on preparation of my horses and perfecting my skills through hours of practice every week," he said.

"It's always nice when that pays off for a win on the weekends."

All three riders are no strangers to that winning feeling. Each of them has won at least one prestigious award in the arena, and Ashleigh described her best victory as one which was particularly poignant.

"It was very special for me to win the Blake Hallam Memorial Timed Event Champion Cowgirl award," Ashleigh said.

"It was an invitational event dedicated towards one of our great friends that we lost too soon. The event involved five rounds of three different women's events over two days, and I was lucky to win overall.

"This would be my proudest achievement so far."

When the rodeo gets underway on Saturday, November 9, the hometown riders will undoubtedly have the full support of the locals.

Entries opened on Thursday October 31 and close today.

For more information, please visit the Yass Rodeo Facebook page.